WASHINGTON  AFTER 
THE  REVOLUTION 

MDCCLXXXIV— MDCCXCIX 

BY  WILLIAM  SPOHN  BAKER 

AUTHOR  OF  "ITINERARY  OF  GENERAL  WASHINGTON,  1775— 
1783,"  "EARLY  SKETCHES  OF  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,"  "EN 
GRAVED  PORTRAITS  OF  WASHINGTON,"  "  MEDALLIC  PORTRAITS 
OF  WASHINGTON,"  "  CHARACTER  PORTRAITS  OF  WASHINGTON," 
"  BIBLIOTHECA  WASHINGTONIANA,"  ETC. 


J.   B.   LIPPINCOTT    COMPANY 
PHILADELPHIA     MDCCCXCVIII 


COPYRIGHT,  1898, 

BY 
HENRY  WHELEN,  JR. 


INTRODUCTORY    NOTE. 


ON  the  23d  day  of  December,  1783,  Washington  resigned 
his  commission  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  armies  of 
the  Revolution  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  then  in 
session  at  Annapolis,  Maryland.  After  a  simple  but  most 
impressive  ceremony,  made  memorable  by  the  singular 
beauty  and  dignity  of  his  address,  he  left  for  Mount  Ver- 
non,  where  he  arrived  toward  the  close  of  the  following 
day.  It  was  the  evening  before  Christmas  when  Wash 
ington  returned  to  that  home  which  through  the  long  and 
weary  struggle  was  ever  in  his  mind,  and  where  he  hoped, 
to  use  his  own  words,  "  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days 
in  cultivating  the  affections  of  good  men,  and  in  the  practice 
of  the  domestic  virtues."  But  the  end  was  not  yet!  There 
was  to  be  but  a  brief  period  of  repose;  other  and  more 
trying  years  were  before  him ;  other  and  more  trying  duties 
were  to  be  imposed.  But  when  they  came,  when  the  new 
duties  and  responsibilities  were  to  be  met,  the  old  firmness 
and  courage,  judgment  and  decision,  were  displayed,  and, 
strong  alike  in  peace  as  in  war,  the  great  soul,  responsive 
to  the  call,  was  found  equal  to  the  task. 

We  propose,  as  a  sequel  to  the  Itinerary  of  the  Revolu 
tion  (1775-1783),  to  follow  Washington  through  the  remain 
ing  years  of  his  life,  keeping  our  notes  as  closely  as  possible 
to  his  personal  movements,  although  at  times  it  may  be 
difficult  to  separate  his  public  acts  from  those  of  a  more 
private  and  personal  nature. 

W.  S.  BAKER. 

PHILADELPHIA. 


239830 


WASHINGTON 
AFTER  THE   REVOLUTION. 


1784. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  The  public  and  other  papers,  which 
were  committed  to  your  charge,  and  the  books  in  which 
they  have  been  recorded  under  your  inspection,  having  come 
safe  to  hand,  I  take  this  first  opportunity  of  signifying  my 
entire  approbation  of  the  manner  in  which  you  have  exe 
cuted  the  important  duties  of  recording  secretary,  and  the 
satisfaction  I  feel  in  having  my  papers  so  properly  arranged, 
and  so  correctly  recorded." —  Washington  to  Richard  Varick. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1781,  General  Washington  made  arrangements, 
by  authority  of  Congress,  to  have  all  his  official  papers  recorded  in  volumes. 
He  appointed  Colonel  Richard  Varick  to  superintend  this  work, — to  classify 
the  papers  according  to  a  plan  furnished  by  himself,  and  to  engage  such  a 
number  of  copyists  as  he  should  deem  expedient.  These  volumes,  thirty- 
seven  in  number,  containing  transcripts  of  Washington's  entire  correspond 
ence,  official  and  private,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  the  Revolution, 
are  now  the  property  of  the  national  government,  and  form  one  of  the 
most  valuable  features  of  its  archives.  They  were  purchased  with  a  large 
amount  of  other  papers  in  August,  1834,  from  George  Corbiu  Washington, 
to  whom  they  were  bequeathed  by  his  uncle,  Judge  Bushrod  Washington, 
the  original  devisee  under  the  will  of  General  Washington. 

SATURDAY,  JANUARY  10. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  When  you  have  finished  my  por 
trait  which  is  intended  for  the  Count  de  Solms,  I  will  thank 
you  for  handing  it  to  Mr.  Robert  Morris,  who  will  forward 
it  to  the  Count  de  Bruhl  (Minister  from  His  Electoral  High- 

3 


4  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1784 

ness  of  Saxe  at  the  Court  of  London),  as  the  channel  pointed 
out  for  the  conveyance  of  it." —  Washington  to  Joseph  Wright, 
at  Philadelphia. 

Under  date  of  August  4,  1785,  the  Comte  de  Solms,  "  De  la  Portress  de 
Konigstein  en  Saxe,"  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  this  portrait  in  the  fol 
lowing  terms:  "My  General  and  my  Hero.— I  have  just  received  your 
picture,  and  I  am  entirely  taken  up  to  give  it  a  sufficient  embellishment  by 
placing  it  between  the  King  of  Prussia  and  his  illustrious  brother  Henry. 
You  see  that  this  is  a  trio  very  harmonical.  ...  It  must  be  that  the  picture 
resembles,  for  I  regard  it  as  the  greatest  ornament  of  my  fortress." 

The  sittings  for  this  portrait  must  have  been  given  in  December,  1783, 
Washington  having  been  in  Philadelphia  from  the  5th  to  the  15th  of  that 
month.  Another  portrait  by  Wright — a  three-quarter  length,  presented  by 
Washington  to  Mrs.  Samuel  Powel,  of  Philadelphia,  and  still  in  possession 
of  the  family  at  Newport,  Khode  Island — may  have  been  executed  at  the 
same  time.  It  is  signed  and  dated  "  J.  Wright,  1784. "  The  Powel  Portrait 
is  known  through  an  etching  executed  by  Albert  Kosenthal,  the  frontispiece 
to  Baker's  "  Bibliotheca  Washingtoniana, "  Philadelphia,  1889. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUAKY  14. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  am  truly  sensible,  Sir,  that  the 
extract  from  the  instructions  of  the  executive  of  Pennsyl 
vania  to  their  delegates,  contains  another  most  flattering 
proof  of  the  favorable  opinion  they  are  pleased  to  entertain 
of  my  past  services.  Every  repeated  mark  of  the  approba 
tion  of  my  fellow  citizens,  especially  of  those  invested  with 
so  dignified  an  appointment,  demands  my  particular  ac 
knowledgment.  Under  this  impression,  I  cannot  but  feel 
the  greatest  obligations  to  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
of  the  commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania.  But,  as  my  senti 
ments  on  the  subject  of  their  instructions  have  been  long 
and  well  known  to  the  public,  I  need  not  repeat  them  to 
your  Excellency  on  the  present  occasion." — Washington  to 
Thomas  Mifflin. 

Under  date  of  December  16,  1783,  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of 
Pennsylvania  forwarded  a  paper  to  the  delegates  in  Congress  from  that  State, 
instructing  them  to  bring  to  the  early  attention  of  Congress  the  fact  that,  as 
the  admiration  of  the  world  might  make  the  life  of  Washington  in  a  very 


1784]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  5 

considerable  degree  public,  and  his  very  services  to  his  country  subject  him 
to  expenses,  some  testimonial  of  public  gratitude  would  be  proper  under  the 
circumstances.  The  instructions,  drawn  in  a  most  delicate  manner,  were 
transmitted  to  Washington  by  President  Mifflin  before  submitting  them  to 
Congress.  The  reply  as  given  above,  in  accordance  with  his  determination, 
made  known  when  he  received  his  commission  as  Commander-in-Chief,  to 
accept  no  compensation  from  his  country  for  his  services  other  than  his 
expenses,  prevented  any  further  action  on  the  subject. 


SUNDAY,  JANUAKY  18. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  The  disinclination  of  the  individual 
States  to  yield  competent  powers  to  Congress  for  the  federal 
government,  their  unreasonable  jealousy  of  that  body  and 
of  one  another,  and  the  disposition,  which  seems  to  pervade 
each,  of  being  all-wise  and  all-powerful  within  itself,  will, 
if  there  is  not  a  change  in  the  system,  be  our  downfall  as  a 
nation." —  Washington  to  Benjamin  Harrison. 

THUKSDAY,  JANUAKY  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  If  my  commission  [as  Commander- 
in-Chief]  is  not  necessary  for  the  files  of  Congress,  I  should 
be  glad  to  have  it  deposited  among  my  own  papers.  It  may 
serve  my  grandchildren,  some  fifty  or  a  hundred  years  hence, 
for  a  theme  to  ruminate  upon,  if  they  should  be  contempla 
tively  disposed." —  Washington  to  Charles  Thomson. 


"  Annapolis,  February  7th. — With  respect  to  your  corn-mission,  I  have  to 
inform  you,  that,  previous  to  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  it  had  been  in  agi 
tation  among  the  members  to  have  an  order  passed  for  returning  it  to  you 
in  a  gold  box.  A  motion  has  accordingly  been  made  to  that  effect,  which 
was  received  with  general  approbation,  and  referred  to  a  committee  to  be 
drawn  up  in  proper  terms.  The  committee  have  not  yet  reported.  But  I 
have  not  the  least  doubt  of  its  being  returned  to  you  in  a  way,  that  will  be 
satisfactory ;  and  I  heartily  wish,  that  this  sacred  deposit  may  be  preserved 
by  your  children  and  children's  children  to  the  latest  posterity,  and  may 
prove  an  incentive  to  them  to  emulate  the  virtues  of  their  worthy  and  great 
progenitor." — Charles  Thomson  to  Washington. 

This  intention,  it  seems,  was  never  fulfilled.  The  original  commission  was 
retained,  and  is  deposited  in  the  Department  of  State  of  the  United  States. 


6  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1784 

SUNDAY,  FEBRUARY  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  At  length,  my  dear  Marquis,  I  am 
become  a  private  citizen  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac ;  and 
under  the  shadow  of  my  own  vine  and  my  own  fig-tree,  free 
from  the  bustle  of  a  camp,  and  the  busy  scenes  of  public  life, 
I  am  solacing  myself  with  those  tranquil  enjoyments,  of 
which  the  soldier,  who  is  ever  in  pursuit  of  fame,  the  states 
man,  whose  watchful  days  and  sleepless  nights  are  spent  in 
devising  schemes  to  promote  the  welfare  of  his  own,  per 
haps  the  ruin  of  other  countries,  as  if  this  globe  was  insuffi 
cient  for  us  all,  and  the  courtier,  who  is  always  watching  the 
countenance  of  his  prince,  in  hopes  of  catching  a  gracious 
smile,  can  have  very  little  conception." —  Washington  to  the 
Marquis  de  Lafayette. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  11. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon :  On  this  day  Washington  set  out 
for  Fredericksburg,  to  pay  a  visit  to  his  mother,  which  had 
been  delayed  on  account  of  the  severity  of  the  weather. 
He  did  not  return  until  the  19th. 

"We  have  been  so  fast  locked  up  in  snow  and  ice  since  Christmas,  that 
all  kinds  of  intercourse  have  been  suspended ;  and  a  duty  which  I  owed  my 
mother,  and  intended  ere  this  to  have  performed,  has  been  forced  to  yield  to 
the  intemperance  of  the  weather." — Washington  to  Charles  Thomson,  Janu 
ary  22. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  20. 

At  Mount  Yernon :  "  I  am  just  beginning  to  experience 
that  ease  and  freedom  from  public  cares,  which,  however 
desirable,  takes  some  time  to  realize ;  for,  strange  as  it  may 
seem,  it  is  nevertheless  true,  that  it  was  not  till  lately  I  could 
get  the  better  of  my  usual  custom  of  ruminating,  as  soon 
as  I  waked  in  the  morning,  on  the  business  of  the  ensuing 
day ;  and  of  my  surprise  at  finding,  after  revolving  many 
things  in  my  mind,  that  I  was  no  longer  a  public  man,  nor 
had  anything  to  do  with  public  transactions." —  Washington 
to  General  Knox. 


1784]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  1 

THURSDAY,  MARCH  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  will  frankly  declare  to  you,  my 
dear  Doctor,  that  any  memoirs  of  my  life,  distinct  and  un 
connected  with  the  general  history  of  the  war,  would  rather 
hurt  my  feelings  than  tickle  my  pride  whilst  I  live.  I  had 
rather  glide  gently  down  the  stream  of  life,  leaving  it  to 
posterity  to  think  and  say  what  they  please  of  me,  than  by 
any  act  of  mine  to  have  vanity  or  ostentation  imputed  to 
me." —  Washington  to  Dr.  James  Oraik. 

The  letter  from  which  the  above  extract  is  made  was  in  reply  to  an  ap 
plication  made  by  a  Mr.  Bowie,  through  Dr.  Craik,  for  permission  to  ex 
amine  such  papers  as  would  be  necessary  to  enable  him  to  prepare  a  memoir 
of  the  General,  which  he  had  in  contemplation.  Washington,  deeming  it 
improper  to  have  the  papers  connected  with  his  career  during  the  Revolu 
tion  made  public  until  Congress  thought  proper  to  open  its  archives  to 
the  historian,  and  as,  in  his  opinion,  no  accurate  history  of  his  life  could  be 
written  without  consulting  them,  denied  the  request,  not  unwillingly,  as  it 
appears. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  12. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  The  estate  of  General  Washington 
not  being  more  than  fifteen  leagues  from  Annapolis  I  ac 
cepted  an  invitation  that  he  gave  me  to  go  and  pass  several 
days  there,  and  it  is  from  his  house  that  I  have  the  honor  to 
write  to  you.  After  having  seen  him  on  my  arrival  in  this 
continent,  in  the  midst  of  his  camp  and  in  the  tumult  of 
arms,  I  have  the  pleasure  to  see  him  a  simple  citizen,  enjoy 
ing  in  the  repose  of  his  retreat  the  glory  which  he  has  so 
justly  acquired.  .  .  .  He  dresses  in  a  gray  coat  like  a  Virginia 
farmer,  and  nothing  about  him  recalls  the  recollection  of 
the  important  part  which  he  has  played  except  the  great 
number  of  foreigners  who  come  to  see  him." — Chevalier  de 
la  Luzerne  to  Rayneval,  April  12,  1784. 

SATURDAY,  MAY  1. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  On  Saturday  last  [May  1]  his  Excel 
lency  General  Washington  our  late  worthy  and  much  re- 


8  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1784 

spected  Commander  in  Chief  arrived  in  the  city,  from  his 
seat  in  Virginia." — Pennsylvania  Gazette,  May  5,  1784. 

"On  Saturday,  the  first  of  May,  the  sons  of  St.  Tammany*  met  at  Mr. 
Pole's  seat  on  Schuylkill  in  order  to  celebrate  the  day.  The  company  having 
learned  that  general  Washington  dined  with  the  financier  general  [Kobert 
Morris],  they  marched  with  the  music  before  them  to  his  door,  where  they 
halted  and  gave  his  excellency  thirteen  cheers,  and  at  the  same  time  thirteen 
cannon  were  fired  on  the  banks  of  the  Schuylkill." — Pennsylvania  Packet, 
May  6,  1784. 

SATUKDAY,  MAY  15. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  We  have  been  amazingly  embarrassed 
in  the  business  that  brought  us  here.  It  is  now  drawing  to 
a  conclusion,  and  will  soon  be  given  to  the  public." —  Wash 
ington  to  Philip  Schuyler. 

Washington  visited  Philadelphia  at  this  time  for  the  purpose  of  attending 
the  first  general  meeting  of  the  Cincinnati.  The  society  met  at  the  City 
Tavern,  Second  Street  above  Walnut,  every  morning  at  nine  o'clock  (Sun 
days  excepted)  from  Tuesday,  May  4,  to  Tuesday,  the  18th,  when  it  adjourned. 
The  session  of  the  18th  was  short,  and  Washington  in  all  probability  left  for 
Mount  Vernon  the  same  day. 

The  embarrassment  in  the  business  referred  to  by  Washington  arose  from 
his  desire  to  overcome  the  popular  dissatisfaction  excited  by  the  institution 
of  the  society,  produced  mainly  by  the  provision  of  hereditary  distinction. 
He,  therefore,  submitted  a  paper  to  the  meeting,  suggesting  alterations  to 
the  institution,  and  most  of  his  suggestions  were  embodied  in  a  proposed 
amended  institution,  which  was  recommended  to  the  State  societies  for  adop 
tion.  The  State  societies,  however,  regarding  the  prevailing  excitement  as 
a  passing  storm,  withheld  their  approval  and  ratification  of  the  proposed 
amendments,  and  the  society  stands  now  on  the  same  footing  that  it  did  on 
its  organization  in  1783. 


*  This  society,  organized  for  social  purposes,  took  its  name  from  TAMA- 
NEND,  an  ancient  Indian  chief  of  the  Lenni  Lenape  confederacy,  remark 
able  for  his  good  and  noble  qualities.  The  fame  of  this  great  man  extended 
among  the  whites,  and  in  the  [Revolutionary  war  his  admirers  among  the 
Pennsylvania  troops  established  him  as  the  Patron  Saint  of  America,  under 
the  name  of  St.  Tamany.  His  festival  was  celebrated  on  the  first  day  of 
May  in  every  year.  The  noted  political  organization  of  New  York,  the 
"  Tammany  Society,"  derives  its  name  from  this  chief. 


1784]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  9 

FKIDAY,  MAY  21. 

At  Annapolis,  Maryland :  "  His  excellency  general  Wash 
ington  arrived  at  Annapolis  from  Philadelphia  the  21st.  ult. 
and  the  next  day  set  oft'  for  his  seat  in  Virginia." — Pennsyl 
vania  Packet,  June  8,  1784. 

WEDNESDAY,  JUNE  2. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  did  not  hear  of  your  late  appoint 
ment  until  I  arrived  at  Annapolis,  where  I  remained  but 
one  day,  and  that  occasioned  by  the  detention  of  my  car 
riage  and  horses  on  the  Eastern  Shore." — Washington  to 
David  Humphreys. 

David  Humphreys,  of  Connecticut,  an  aide  to  Washington  from  1780 
until  he  resigned  his  commission,  accompanied  him  on  his  return  to  Mount 
Vernon,  where  he  remained  until  the  middle  of  January.  He  was  the  last 
officer  of  the  army  to  take  leave  of  the  General. 

On  the  12th  of  May,  Colonel  Humphreys  was  appointed  secretary  to  the 
commission  for  negotiating  treaties  of  commerce  with  foreign  powers.  He 
sailed  from  New  York  for  France  in  July.  The  commission  was  composed 
of  Benjamin  Franklin,  John  Adams,  and  Thomas  Jefferson. 

THUKSDAY,  JUNE  24. 

At  Alexandria,  Virginia  :  Attends  the  Masonic  festival  of 
St.  John  the  Baptist,  and  dines  with  the  Master  and  breth 
ren  of  Lodge  No.  39.  The  following  record  was  made : 
"  The  Worshipful  Master,  with  the  unanimous  consent  of 
the  brethren,  was  pleased  to  admit  his  EXCELLENCY  GENERAL 
WASHINGTON,  as  an  honorary  member  of  Lodge  No.  39." 

MONDAY,  JULY  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  The  General  being  in  want  of  a 
House  Joiner  &  Bricklayer  who  understand  their  respec 
tive  trades  perfectly,  would  thank  Mr.  Rumney  for  en 
quiring  into  the  terms  upon  which  such  workmen  might  be 
engaged  for  two  or  three  years." — Washington  to  William 
Rumney. 

At  this  time  Washington  was  engaged  in  the  prosecution  of  improve 
ments  at  Mount  Vernon,  the  principal  being  additions  to  the  house  origi- 


10  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1784 

nally  built  by  Lawrence  Washington  (1744),  which  was  of  the  old  gable- 
roofed  style,  with  only  four  rooms  upon  each  floor.  It  was  about  one-third 
the  size  of  the  present  building,  and  in  the  alteration  it  was  made  to  occupy 
the  central  portion,  the  two  ends  having  been  built  at  the  same  time.  The 
mansion,  when  completed  by  General  Washington,  at  the  close  of  1785  (and 
as  it  now  appears),  was  of  the  most  substantial  framework,  two  stories  in 
height,  ninety-six  feet  in  length,  thirty  feet  in  depth,  with  a  piazza  fifteen 
feet  in  width,  extending  along  the  eastern  or  river  front. 

Mr.  William  Kumney,  a  shipping  merchant  of  Alexandria,  to  whom  the 
above-quoted  letter  was  addressed,  was  about  to  leave  for  England,  and 
hence  the  request. 

THUKSDAY,  JULY  15. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  Answers  an  address  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  Virginia,  voted  on  the  22d  of  June,  and  pre 
sented  to  him  at  Mount  Vernon,  a  few  days  afterward,  by 
a  joint  committee  of  the  two  Houses,  headed  by  James 
Madison. 

FRIDAY,  AUGUST  20. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  thank  you  for  your  favor  of  the 
16th  of  June  by  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  who  arrived  here 
three  days  ago." —  Washington  to  Count  de  Rochambeau. 

Lafayette  arrived  at  New  York  on  the  4th  of  August,  after  a  passage  of 
thirty-four  days  from  France.  He  remained  a  short  time  in  New  York  to 
receive  the  congratulations  of  the  citizens,  and  also  in  Philadelphia,  and 
then  hastened  forward  to  Mount  Vernon,  which  place  he  reached,  as  stated, 
on  the  17th.  He  stayed  at  Mount  Vernon  twelve  days. 

WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBEE  1. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon  :  "  September  1. — Having  found  it 
indispensably  necessary  to  visit  my  Landed  property  West 
of  the  Apalacheon  Mountains,  and  more  especially  that  part 
of  it  which  I  held  [in  Fayette  County,  Pennsylvania]  in  Co 
partnership  with  Mr  Gilbert  Simpson. — Having  determined 
upon  a  tour  into  that  Country, — and  having  made  the  neces 
sary  preparations  for  it, — I  did,  on  the  first  day  of  this 
Month  (September)  set  out  on  my  journey. 


1784]          WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  11 

"  Having  dispatched  my  equipage  about  9  o'clock  A.M. ; 
consisting  of  3  Servants  &  6  horses,  three  of  which  carried 
my  Baggage,  I  set  out  myself  in  company  with  Doctor  James 
Craik ;  and  after  dining  at  Mr  Sampson  Trammells  (ab*  2 
Miles  above  the  Falls  Church)  we  proceeded  to  Difficulty 
Bridge,  and  lodged  at  one  Shepherds  Tavern  25  Miles." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  September  2. — About  5  o'clock  we  set  out  from  Shepherds  ;  and  leaving 
the  Baggage  to  follow  slowly  on,  we  arrived  about  11  O'clock  ourselves  at 
Leesburgh  where  we  Dined — The  Baggage  having  joined  we  proceeded  to 
Mr  Israel  Thompsons  &  lodged  mak*  abl  36  M.  September  3. — Having 
business  to  transact  with  my  Tenants  in  Berkeley ;  &  others  were  directed 
to  meet  me  at  my  Brothers  (Col°  Charles  "Washington's*)  I  left  Doctr 
Craik  and  the  Baggage  to  follow  slowly,  and  set  out  myself  about  Sun  Kise 
for  that  place — where  after  Breakfasting  at  Keys'  ferry  [on  the  Shenan- 
doah]  I  arrived  about  11  O'clock — distant  ab*  17  Miles.  Col°  Warner 
Washington,!  Mr  Wormeley,  Gen1  [Daniel]  Morgan,  Mr  Trickett  and  many 
other  Gentlemen  came  here  to  see  me.  September  4. — Having  finished  my 
business  with  my  Tenants  .  .  .  and  provided  a  Waggon  for  the  transporta 
tion  of  my  Baggage  to  the  Warm  Springs  (or  Town  of  Bath)  to  give  relief 
to  my  Horses,  which  from  the  extreme  heat  of  the  Weather  began  to  Kub 
&  gaul,  I  set  out  after  dinner  and  reached  Captn  Stroads  a  substantial  farm 
ers  betwn  Opecken  [Opequan]  Creek  &  Martinsburgh — distant  by  estimation 
14  Miles  from  my  Brothers.  September  5. — Dispatched  my  Waggon  (with 
the  Baggage)  at  daylight ;  and  at  7  o'clock  followed  it. — bated  at  one  Snod- 
grasses,  on  Back  Creek — and  dined  there,  about  5  o'clock  P.M.  we  arrived 
at  the  Springs — or  Town  of  Bath  [now  Berkeley  Springs,  Morgan  County, 
West  Virginia]  after  travelling  the  whole  day  through  a  drizling  Kain,  30 
Miles." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  6. 

At  Bath,  Virginia :  "  September  6. — Remained  at  Bath  all 
day,  and  was  showed  the  Model  of  a  Boat  constructed  by 
the  ingenious  Mr  [James]  Rumsey  for  ascending  rapid  cur- 

*  Charles  Washington  resided  at  what  is  now  Charlestown,  Jefferson 
County,  West  Virginia,  laid  out  in  1786,  and  named  from  his  Christian 
name. 

f  A  son  of  John  Washington,  the  elder  brother  of  Augustine,  the  father 
of  General  Washington.  He  resided  at  Fairfield,  Frederick  (now  Clarke) 
County,  Virginia. 


12  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION          [1784 

rents  by  mechanism ;  the  principles  of  this  were  not  only 
shown  &  fully  explained  to  me,  but  to  my  very  great  satis 
faction,  exhibited  in  practice  in  private  under  the  injunction 
of  Secresy,  until  he  saw  the  eifect  of  an  application  he  was 
about  to  Make  to  the  Assembly  of  this  State,  for  a  reward. 
.  .  .  Having  obtained  a  Plan  of  this  Town  (Bath)  and  ascer 
tained  the  situation  of  my  lots  therein  .  .  .  &  Mr  Rumsey 
being  willing  to  undertake  those  Buildings  [a  dwelling- 
house,  kitchen,  and  stable],  I  have  agreed  with  him  to  have 
them  finished  by  the  10th  of  next  July." — Washington's 
Diary. 

41  September  7. — Having  hired  three  Pack  horses — to  give  my  own  greater 
relief—  I  sent  my  Baggage  of  this  day  about  one  O'clock,  and  ordered  those 
who  had  charge  of  it,  to  proceed  to  one  Headricks  at  15  Miles  Creek,  distant 
ab*  ten  Miles,  to  night,  and  to  the  old  Town  next  day.  September  8. — Set 
out  about  7  o'clock  with  the  Doctr  (Craik)  his  son  William  and  my  Nephew 
Bushrod  "Washington,  who  were  to  make  the  tour  with  us, — about  ten 

I  parted  with  them  at  15  Miles  Creek,  &  recrossed  the  Potomack  (having 
passed  it  ab1  3  Miles  from  the  Springs  before)  to  a  tract  of  mine  on  the  Vir 
ginia  Side,  which  I  find  exceedingly  Kich,  &  must  be  very  valuable.  .  .  . 
After  having  reviewed  this  Land  I  again  crossed  the  Kiver  [to  Maryland]  & 
getting  into  the  waggon  Koad  pursued  my  journey  to  the  old  Town  where  I 
overtook  my  Company  &  baggage — lodged  at  Col°  [Thomas]  Cresaps — ab* 
35  Miles  this  day.     September  9. — The  day  proving  rainy  we  remained  here 
[Old  Town].     September  10. — Set  off  a  little  after  5  oclock  altho'  the  morn 
ing  was  very  unpromising, — finding  from  the  Rains  that  had  fallen,  and 
description  of  the  Roads,  part  of  which  between  the  old  Town  &  this  place 
(old  Fort  Cumberland)  we  had  passed,  that  the  progress  of  my  Baggage 
would  be  tedeous,  I  resolved  (it  being  necessary)  to  leave  it  to  follow ;  and 
proceed  on  myself  to  Gilbert  Simpson's.  .   .  .  Accordingly,  leaving  Doctr 
Craik,  his  Son,  and  My  Nephew  with  it,  I  set  out  with  one  Servant  only — 
dined  at  Mr  Gwins  at  the  Fort  [  ?  Fork]  of  the  Roads  leaving  [  ?  leading]  to 
"Winchester  and  the  old  Town,  distant  from  the  latter  ab*  20  Miles  &  lodged 
at  Tumbersons  [Tumbelson]  at  the  little  Meadows  [Somerset  County,  Penn 
sylvania]  15  Miles  further.     September  11. — Set  out  at  half  after  5  oclock 
from  Tumbersons,  &  in  about  1J  Miles  came  to  what  is  called  the  little 
crossing  of  the  Yohiogany.   .  .   .   Breakfasted  at  one  Mounts  or  Mountains, 

II  Miles  from  Tumbersons ;    the  Road  being   exceedingly  bad,  especially 
through  what  is  called  the  Shades  of  death. — Bated  at  the  great  crossing 
[of  the  Youghiogheny  River  or  Braddock's  road,  now  Somerfield]  which  is 
a  large  Water,  distant  from  Mounts'  9  Miles,  and  a  better  Road  than  be- 


1784]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  13 

tween  that  and  Tumbersons — Lodged  at  one  Daughertys  a  Mile  &  half  short 
of  the  Great  Meadows  .  .  .  distant  from  the  crossing  12  Miles." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBEE  12. 

At  Fayette  County,  Pennsylvania:  "September  12. — Left 
Daughertys  about  6  oclock — stopped  awhile  at  the  Great 
Meadows  and  viewed  a  tenement  I  have  there  ...  is  a  very 
good  stand  for  a  Tavern.  Dined  at  Mr  Thomas  Gists  [Mount 
Braddock]  at  the  Foot  of  Laurel,  distant  from  the  Meadows 
12  Miles,  and  arrived  at  Gilbert  Simpsons  about  5  oclock 
12  Miles  further." — Washington's  Diary. 

The  tenement  at  Great  Meadows,  in  what  is  now  Wharton  Township, 
Fayette  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  which  Washington  considered  "a  very 
good  stand  for  a  Tavern,"  was  on  a  tract  of  land  containing  two  hundred 
and  thirty-four  acres,  acquired  by  him  in  1767.  It  included  the  site  of 
Fort  Necessity,  a  stockade  hastily  constructed  by  Washington,  when  a 
colonel  in  the  Virginia  service,  to  resist  the  attack  of  a  superior  body  of 
French  and  Indians  under  the  command  of  M.  Coulan  de  Villiers,  and  made 
memorable  by  its  surrender  to  that  officer  on  July  3,  1754.  The  entire  tract 
was  sold  by  the  executors  of  the  last  will  and  testament  of  Washington  to 
Andrew  Parks,  of  Baltimore.  In  the  notes  to  the  schedule  attached  to  the 
will  this  property  is  referred  to  as  follows :  "  This  land  is  valuable  on  account 
of  its  local  situation  and  other  properties. — It  affords  an  exceeding  good 
stand  on  Braddock 's  Road  from  Fort  Cumberland  to  Pittsburgh  and  besides 
a  fertile  soil  possesses  a  large  quantity  of  natural  meadow  fit  for  the  scythe. 
— It  is  distinguished  by  the  appellation  of  the  Great  Meadows,  where  the 
first  action  with  the  French  in  the  year  1754  was  fought." 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  13. 

At  Fayette  County,  Pennsylvania :  "  September  13. — I  vis 
ited  my  Mill,  and  the  several  tenements  on  this  Tract  (on 
which  Simpson  lives) — I  do  not  find  the  land  in  general  equal 
to  my  expectations  of  it." —  Washington's  Diary. 

The  tract  referred  to,  "on  which  Simpson  lives,"  comprised  about  six 
teen  hundred  acres,  and  was  situate  at  and  near  the  present  town  of  Perry- 
opolis,  Perry  Township,  Fayette  County,  Pennsylvania.  It  was  located  for 
Washington  by  Captain  William  Crawford  in  1769,  and  was  visited  by  him 
in  1770.  Gilbert  Simpson,  who  had  superintended  the  erection  of  a  mill  on 


14  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  [1784 

the  premises,  which,  however,  was  not  finished  until  the  spring  of  1776, 
seems  also  to  have  heen  a  copartner  in  the  management  of  the  estate.  The 
property  was  sold  in  1795  to  Colonel  Israel  Shreve,  of  New  Jersey,  under 
articles  of  agreement,  and  in  1802  the  executors  of  the  last  will  and  testa 
ment  of  Washington  conveyed  it  to  the  heirs  of  Colonel  Shreve,  who  had 
died  in  1799. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  14. 

At  Fayette  County,  Pennsylvania:  "September  14. — Re 
mained  at  Mr  Gilbert  Simpsons  all  day, — before  Noon  Col° 
Wm  Butler  and  the  officer  Commanding  the  Garrison  at 
Fort  Pitt  a  Captn  Lucket  came  here — as  they  confirmed  the 
reports  of  the  discontented  temper  of  the  Indians  and  the 
Mischiefs  done  by  some  parties  of  them — and  the  former 
advised  me  not  to  prosecute  my  intended  trip  to  the  Great 
Kanahawa,  I  resolved  to  decline  it." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"September  15. — This  being  the  day  appointed  for  the  Sale  of  my  moiety 
of  the  Co-partnership  Stock — many  People  were  gathered  (more  out  of 
curiosity  I  believe  than  from  other  motives)  but  no  great  Sale  made. — My 
Mill  I  could  obtain  no  bid  for.  September  16. — Continued  at  Simpsons  all 
day  in  order  to  finish  the  business  which  was  begun  yesterday — Gave  leases 
to  some  of  my  Tents  on  the  Land  whereon  I  now  am.  September  17. — De 
tained  here  by  a  settled  Rain  the  whole  day — which  gave  me  time  to  close 
my  Accta  with  Gilbert  Simpson,  &  put  a  final  end  to  my  Partnership  with 
him." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  18. 

At  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania  :  "  September  18. — 
Set  out  with  Doctr  Craik  for  my  Land  on  Millers  Run  (a 
branch  of  Shurtees  [Chartiers]  Creek — crossed  the  Monon- 
gahela  at  Deboirs  [Devore's]  Ferry — 16  miles  from  Simp 
sons — bated  at  one  Hamiltons  about  4  Miles  from  it,  in 
Washington  County  and  lodged  at  a  Col°  Cassons  [Canon] 
on  the  Waters  of  Shurtees  Creek — a  kind,  hospitable  Man ; 
&  sensible." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  September  19. — Being  Sunday,  and  the  People  living  on  my  land  ap 
parently  very  religious,  it  was  thought  best  to  postpone  going  among  them 
till  to-morrow." — Washington's  Diary. 


1784]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  15 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  20. 

At  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania  :  "  September  20. — 
Went  early  this  Morning  to  view  my  Land  &  to  receive  the 
final  determination  of  those  who  live  upon  it." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

The  land  on  Miller's  Eun,  in  what  is  now  Mount  Pleasant  Township, 
Washington  County,  Pennsylvania,  was  held  by  Washington  under  a  mili 
tary  patent  from  Lord  Dunmore,  Governor  of  Virginia.  It  comprised  two 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirteen  acres,  and  was  described  as  "being  in 
Augusta  County.  Vir.  on  the  waters  of  Miller's  Eun,  one  of  the  branches 
of  Chartiers  Creek,  a  branch  of  the  Ohio."  A  number  of  families  (Scotch- 
Irish)  had  settled  on  this  land,  and  Washington  passed  most  of  Monday, 
September  20,  in  endeavoring  to  arrange  with  them  for  the  purchase  of  the 
whole  tract.  No  agreement,  however,  could  be  made,  and  subsequently 
ejectment  suits  were  brought,  which  were  successful.  The  tract  was  sold  in 
June,  1796,  for  twelve  thousand  dollars. 

Washington  passed  the  night  of  the  20th  at  the  house  of  Colonel  John 
Canon,  the  site  of  the  present  Canonsburg,  laid  out  in  1787. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  21. 

Leaves  Washington  County  :  "  September  21. — Accompa 
nied  by  Col°  Casson  &  Captn  Swearingin  [sheriff  of  the 
county]  who  attended  me  to  Debores  ferry  on  the  Monon- 
gahela  which  seperates  the  Counties  of  Fayette  &  Washing 
ton,  I  returned  to  Gilbert  Simpson's  in  the  afternoon ;  after 
dining  at  one  Wickermans  [Wickerham's]  Mill  near  the 
Monongahela." —  Washington's  Diary. 


"  September  22. — After  giving  instructions  to  Major  Thomas  Freeman  re 
specting  his  conduct  in  my  business,  and  disposing  of  my  Baggage  which 
was  left  under  the  care  of  Mr  Gilbert  Simpson  ...  I  set  out  for  Beason 
[Beeson]  Town  [now  Uniontown,  the  county-seat  of  Fayette  County]  in 
order  to  meet  with  &  engage  Mr  Tho8  Smith  to  bring  Ejectments  &  to  prose 
cute  my  Suit  for  the  Land  in  Washington  County.  .  .  .  Reached  Beason 
Town  about  dusk  (about  the  way  I  came)  18  Miles  .  .  .  my  Baggage  under 
the  care  of  Docf  Craik  and  Son,  having,  from  Simpsons,  taken  the  Eout  by 
the  New  (or  Turkey  foot)  Road  as  it  is  called  (which  is  said  to  be  20  Miles 
near  than  Braddocks).  .  .  .  My  Nephew  and  I  set  out  about  Noon  [on  the 
23d],  with  one  Col°  Philips  for  Cheat  River." — Washington's  Diary. 


16  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1784 

THUKSDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  23. 

At  Fayette  County,  Pennsylvania :  "  September  23. — Ar 
rived  at  Col°  Philips  ab*  five  oclock  in  the  afternoon  16 
Miles  from  Beason  Town  &  near  the  Mouth  of  Cheat 
River.  .  .  . 

"  September  24. — Set  of  in  the  Morning  of  the  24th  (ac 
companied  by  Col°  Philips)  and  crossed  it  [Cheat  River]  at 
the  Mouth,  as  it  was  thought  the  River  was  too  much  swelled 
to  attempt  the  ford  a  little  higher  up." — Washington's  Diary. 

Washington  passed  the  night  of  the  24th  at  the  house  of  Captain  Samuel 
Hanway,  about  three  miles  south  of  Cheat  Kiver,  in  Monongalia  County, 
Virginia,  now  West  Virginia.  Captain  Hanway  was  the  surveyor  of  Mo 
nongalia  County.  On  the  25th  he  resumed  his  journey,  setting  out  before 
sunrise  and  lodging  that  night  in  the  rain,  with  no  shelter  or  cover  other 
than  his  cloak.  On  the  26th  he  reached  a  Mr.  Logston's,  and  left  a  little  after 
daybreak  on  the  following  day,  crossing  the  Stony  Eiver  after  a  ride  of  four 
miles,  gaining  at  ten  miles  "the  summit  of  the  Alligany  Mountain,"  and 
arriving  at  "  Col°  Abrahm  Hites  at  Fort  pleasant  on  the  South  Branch  [of 
the  Potomac]  about  35  miles  from  Logstons  a  little  before  the  Suns  setting," 
where  he  remained  all  of  the  next  day,  the  28th. 

WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  29. 

Leaves  Fort  Pleasant,  Virginia :  "  September  29. — Having 
appointed  to  join  Doctr  Craik  and  my  Baggage  at  Col° 
Warner  Washingtons,  but  finding  it  required  only  one  day 
more  to  take  the  Rout  of  Mr  Tho"  Lewis's  (near  Stanton) 
...  I  sent  my  Nephew  Bushrod  Washington  to  that  place 
to  request  the  Doctr  to  proceed  &  accompanied  by  Captu  Hite 
son  to  the  Colonel  I  set  out  for  Rockingham,  in  which 
county  Mr  Lewis  now  lives  since  the  division  of  Augusta." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

The  night  of  the  29th  was  passed  on  the  North  Fork  of  the  Shenandoah, 
at  the  house  of  one  "  Fish  waters  in  Brocks  gap,  about  Eight  Miles  from  the 
foot  of  the  Mountain — 12  from  Rudibort's  [where  he  had  dined]  &  36  from 
Colon1  Hites,"  arriving  at  Mr.  Lewis's  on  the  30th  "about  Sundown,  after 
riding  about  40  Miles — leaving  Kockingham  C'  House  to  the  right  about  2 
Miles."  Washington  remained  at  Mr.  Lewis's  until  October  2,  setting  oft' 
very  early  on  that  day,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Lewis,  "  to  the  foot  of  the  bleu 


1784]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  17 

Ridge  at  Swift  run  gap,  10  Miles,"  where  he  baited  and  proceeded  over  the 
mountain,  lodging  at  night  at  a  Widow  Yearly's,  twelve  miles  farther.  On 
the  following  day,  October  3,  he  took  breakfast  at  Culpeper  Court-House, 
and  lodged  at  Captain  John  Ashby's. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  4. — Notwithstanding  a  good 
deal  of  Rain  fell  in  the  Night  and  the  continuance  of  it  this 
morning  (which  lasted  till  about  10  oclock)  I  breakfasted  by 
Candlelight,  and  Mounted  my  horse  soon  after  day  break ; 
&  having  Captn  Ashby  for  a  guide  thro'  the  intricate  part 
of  the  Road  (which  ought  tho'  I  missed  it,  to  have  been  by 
Prince  William  old  Court  H°)  I  arrived  at  Colchester,*  30 
Miles  to  Dinner ;  and  reached  home  before  Sun  down ; 
having  travelled  on  the  same  horses  since  the  first  day  of 
September  by  the  computed  distances  680  Miles." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

An  interesting  description  of  Washington  and  the  life  at  Mount  Vernon 
at  this  period  has  been  written  by  Charles  Varlo,  an  Englishman,  who 
visited  this  country  in  1784.  Landing  at  Philadelphia  on  July  23  of  that 
year,  Mr.  Varlo  made  an  excursion  to  the  eastward  as  far  as  Boston,  and 
afterward  journeyed  to  the  southward,  arriving  at  Mount  Vernon  in  the 
month  of  October.  The  following  is  transcribed  from  vol.  ii.,  p.  90,  of  his 
work,  entitled  "  Floating  Ideas  of  Nature,  suited  to  the  Philosopher,  Farmer, 
and  Mechanic,"  published  at  London  in  1796: 

"  I  crossed  the  river  from  Maryland  into  Virginia,  near  to  the  renowned 
General  Washington's,  where  I  had  the  honour  to  spend  some  time,  and 
was  kindly  entertained  with  that  worthy  family.  As  to  the  General,  if  we 
may  judge  by  the  countenance,  he  is  what  the  world  says  of  him,  a  shrewd, 
good-natured,  plain,  humane  man,  about  fifty-five  years  of  age,  and  seems 
to  wear  well,  being  healthful  and  active,  straight,  well  made,  and  about  six 
feet  high.  He  keeps  a  good  table,  which  is  always  open  to  those  of  a  genteel 
appearance.  He  does  not  use  many  Frenchified  congees,  or  flattering  useless 
words  without  meaning,  which  savours  more  of  deceit  than  an  honest 
heart;  but  on  the  contrary,  his  words  seem  to  point  at  truth  and  reason,  and 
to  spring  from  the  fountain  of  a  heart,  which  being  good  of  itself,  cannot 
be  suspicious  of  others,  till  facts  unriddle  designs,  which  evidently  appeared 
to  me  by  a  long  tale  that  he  told  me  about  Arnold's  manoeuvres,  far-fetched 
schemes,  and  deep-laid  designs,  to  give  him  and  his  army  up,  above  a  month 


*  Ten  miles  southwest  of  Mount  Vernon. 
2 


18  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1784 

before  the  affair  happened  ;  and  though  he  said  he  wondered  at  many  things 
that  he  observed  in  Arnold's  conduct,  yet  he  had  not  the  least  suspicion  of 
any  treachery  going  on,  till  the  thing  happened,  and  then  he  could  trace 
back  and  see  through  his  intentions  from  the  beginning ;  which,  from  the 
General's  behaviour  to  him,  I  am  well  apprized,  seems  to  be  the  highest  sin 
of  ingratitude  that  a  man  could  be  guilty  of. 

"The  General's  house  is  rather  warm,  snug,  convenient,  and  useful,  than 
ornamental.  The  size  is  what  ought  to  suit  a  man  of  about  two  or  three 
thousand  a  year  in  England.  The  out-offices  are  good,  and  seem  to  be  not 
long  built ;  and  he  was  making  more  offices  at  each  wing  to  the  front  of  the 
house,  which  added  more  to  ornament  than  real  use.  The  situation  is  high, 
and  commands  a  beautiful  prospect  of  the  river  which  parts  Virginia  and 
Maryland,  but  in  other  respects  the  situation  seems  to  be  out  of  the  world, 
being  chiefly  surrounded  by  woods,  and  far  from  any  great  road  or  thorough 
fare,  and  nine  miles  from  Alexandria  in  Virginia.  The  General's  lady  is  a 
hearty,  comely,  discreet,  affable  woman,  some  few  years  older  than  himself; 
she  was  a  widow  when  he  married  her.  He  has  no  children  by  her.  The 
General's  house  is  open  to  poor  travellers  as  well  as  rich ;  he  gives  diet  and 
lodging  to  all  that  come  that  way,  which  indeed  cannot  be  many,  without 
they  go  out  of  their  way  on  purpose.  .  .  . 

"  I  have  travelled  and  seen  a  great  deal  of  the  world,  have  conversed  with 
all  degrees  of  people,  and  have  remarked  that  there  are  only  two  persons  in 
the  world  which  have  every  one's  good  word,  and  those  are — the  Queen  of 
England  and  General  Washington,  which  I  never  heard  friend  or  foe  speak 
slightly  of." 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBEK  14. 

At  Richmond,  Virginia :  "  Last  Sunday  [November  14], 
in  the  afternoon,  came  to  this  city,  his  Excellency  General 
George  Washington,  Esq.  The  next  day  was  ushered  in  with 
the  discharge  of  thirteen  cannon,  when  every  countenance 
showed  the  most  heartfelt  gladness  on  seeing  our  illustrious 
and  beloved  General  in  the  Capital  of  the  State,  and  in  the 
bosom  of  peace.  In  the  evening  the  city  was  illuminated 
and  every  demonstration  of  joy  was  shown  on  the  pleasing 
occasion.  The  corporation  of  the  city  waited  on  his  Excel 
lency  with  an  address,  which  he  answered." — Richmond 
paper,  November  20,  1784. 

"  On  Thursday  [November  18],  the  merchants  of  the  city  gave  an  elegant 
dinner  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington ;  the  same  day  came  from 
Boston,  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  accompanied  with  Captain  Grandchain, 


1784]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  19 

of  the  navy  of  his  most  Christian  Majesty,  and  the  Chevalier  Caraman. 
The  two  Houses  of  Assembly  appointed  committees  to  wait  upon  his  Excel 
lency  and  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette,  who  severally  addressed  them." — Idem. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  19. 

At  Richmond  :  "  Last  night  [November  19]  the  corpora 
tion  of  the  city  gave  an  elegant  ball  in  honor  to  our  illus 
trious  and  much  beloved  visitor  General  Washington." — 
Richmond  paper,  November  20,  1784. 

Washington  visited  Richmond  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  the  Marquis  de 
Lafayette,  who,  after  leaving  Mount  Vernon  in  August,  had  made  a  tour 
of  the  Eastern  States.  At  Boston  he  embarked  on  board  the  French  frigate 
"Nymphe,"  for  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  and  landed  at  Yorktown.  He  met 
Washington  at  Richmond  on  the  18th  of  November  (as  stated)  and  accom 
panied  him  to  Mount  Vernon,  where  he  made  a  second  visit  of  about  a  week. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive 
your  favor  of  the  llth  of  June,  accompanied  with  your 
Remarks  and  Inquiries  concerning  America.  The  honorable 
mention,  which  you  make  of  me  in  both,  is  far  above  my 
deserts.  ...  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  to  me,  that  my  want 
of  knowledge  in  the  French  language  will  not  allow  me  to 
become  acquainted  with  all  the  beauties  of  your  Spectator" 
—  Washington  to  Joseph  Mandrillon. 

Joseph  Mandrillon  was  born  at  Bourg-en-Bresse,  France,  in  1742.  Hav 
ing  embraced  the  mercantile  profession,  he  established  himself  at  Amster 
dam,  from  whence  he  made  a  voyage  to  the  United  States,  and  afterward 
published  the  results  of  his  observations  in  a  12mo  volume,  entitled  "  Le 
Spectateur  Americain,"  Amsterdam,  1784,  a  copy  of  which  he  seems  to  have 
sent  to  Washington.  From  his  "  Portrait  of  General  Washington"  in  this 
book  we  make  the  following  extract : 

"  If  ever  mortal  enjoyed  his  whole  reputation  during  his  lifetime,  if  ever 
a  citizen  has  found  in  his  own  country  a  reward  for  his  services  and  abilities, 
it  is  my  hero ;  every  where  feted,  admired,  caressed,  he  every  where  sees 
hearts  eager  to  render  him  homage ;  if  he  enters  a  town,  or  if  he  passes 
through  a  village,  old  and  young  men,  women  and  children,  all  follow  him 
with  acclamations ;  all  load  him  with  blessings ;  in  every  heart  he  has  a 
temple  consecrated  to  respect  and  friendship.  How  I  love  to  imagine  to 
myself  the  French  general  (M.  de  Rochambeau)  equally  the  idol  and  the 


20  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1784 

hero  of  his  army,  saying  at  table  as  he  sat  near  Washington,  that  he  had 
never  known  what  true  glory  was,  nor  a  truly  great  man,  until  he  became 
acquainted  with  him.  "When  America,  overthrown  by  the  dreadful  revolu 
tions  of  nature,  shall  no  longer  exist,  it  will  be  remembered  of  Washington, 
that  he  was  the  defender  of  liberty,  the  friend  of  man,  and  the  avenger  of 
an  oppressed  people." 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  29. 

At  Annapolis,  Maryland :  "  On  Monday,  the  29th  of  No 
vember,  1784,  general  Washington  arrived  at  Annapolis, 
accompanied  by  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette.  On  the  day 
following,  the  general  assembly  of  this  State,  being  then  in 
session,  to  manifest  their  gratitude  and  attachment  to  those 
distinguished  men,  directed  an  elegant  ball  to  be  provided 
for  their  entertainment.  The  evening  was  crowned  with 
the  utmost  joy  and  festivity,  the  whole  company  being  made 
happy  by  the  presence  of  two  most  amiable  and  all-accom 
plished  men,  to  whom  America  is  so  deeply  indebted  for 
her  preservation  from  tyranny  and  oppression." — Annals  of 
Annapolis. 

At  Annapolis,  Washington  bade  a  final  adieu  to  Lafayette.  From  thence 
the  marquis  proceeded  to  Trenton,  where  Congress  was  then  sitting,  reach 
ing  that  place  on  December  8.  On  the  25th  of  the  month  he  embarked  at 
New  York  for  France,  on  board  the  frigate  "  Nymphe." 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  met  the  Marquis  de  La  Fayette  at 
Richmond — brought  him  to  this  place,  conducted  him  to 
Annapolis,  saw  him  on  the  road  to  Baltimore,  and  returned." 
—  Washington  to  General  Knox. 

"December  8. — The  peregrination  of  the  day  in  which  I  parted  from  you 
ended  at  Marlborough  [Maryland].  The  next  day,  bad  as  it  was,  I  got  home 
before  dinner.  In  the  moment  of  our  separation,  upon  the  road  as  1  travelled, 
and  every  hour  since,  I  have  felt  all  that  love,  respect,  and  attachment  for 
you,  with  which  length  of  years,  close  connexion,  and  your  merits  have  in 
spired  me.  I  often  asked  myself,  as  our  carriages  separated,  whether  that  was 
the  last  sight  I  ever  should  have  of  you?" — Washington  to  the  Marquis  de 
Lafayette. 


1784]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  21 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBEK  14. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  The  Assemblies  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland  have  now  under  consideration  the  extension  of 
the  inland  navigation  of  the  rivers  Potomac  and  James,  and 
opening  a  communication  between  them  and  the  western 
waters.  They  seem  fully  impressed  with  the  political  as 
well  as  the  commercial  advantages,  which  would  result  from 
the  accomplishment  of  these  great  objects,  and  I  hope  will 
embrace  the  present  moment  to  put  them  in  a  train  for 
execution." — Washington  to  Richard  Henry  Lee. 


The  importance  of  connecting  the  western  with  the  eastern  territory  by 
a  system  of  inland  navigation  had  from  an  early  period  attracted  the  atten 
tion  of  Washington,  and  prior  to  the  Kevolution  he  had  made  some  efforts  to 
hring  the  subject  to  public  notice.  During  his  western  trip  in  September 
the  matter  was  constantly  in  his  mind,  and  after  his  return  he  wrote  a  long 
letter  to  Benjamin  Harrison,  Governor  of  Virginia,  in  which  he  detailed 
the  advantages,  both  in  a  commercial  and  political  point  of  view,  which 
might  be  derived  from  opening  the  Potomac  and  James  Kivers  as  high  as 
should  be  practicable.  This  letter  was  communicated  to  the  Assembly  of 
Virginia,  and  led  to  the  organization  of  the  James  Kiver  and  Potomac  Canal 
Companies.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  during  the  first  year  after  the  close 
of  the  Kevolution,  Washington  set  in  motion  that  vast  scheme  of  internal 
improvements  which  has  had  a  powerful  and  salutary  influence  upon  the 
destinies  of  the  country. 


THUKSDAY,  DECEMBEK  23. 

At  Annapolis  :  "  I  am  here  [since  December  20]  with 
General  Gates,  at  the  request  of  the  Assembly  of  Virginia 
to  fix  matters  with  the  Assembly  of  this  State  respecting 
the  extension  of  the  inland  navigation  of  the  Potomac, 
and  the  communication  between  it  and  the  western  waters." 
—  Washington  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette. 


An  exact  conformity  between  the  acts  of  Virginia  and  of  Maryland 
being  indispensable  to  the  improvement  of  the  Potomac,  Washington  was 
requested  to  wait  upon  the  Assembly  of  Maryland,  in  order  to  agree  on  a 
bill  which  might  receive  the  sanction  of  both  States. 


22  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1784 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  28. 

At  Annapolis  :  "  The  proceedings  of  the  conference,  and 
the  Act  &  Resolutions  of  this  Legislature  consequent  there 
upon  (herewith  transmitted  to  the  Assembly)  are  so  full  & 
explanatory  of  the  motives  which  governed  in  this  business, 
that  it  is  scarcely  necessary  for  me  to  say  any  thing  in  addi 
tion  to  them  ;  except  that  this  State  seem  highly  impressed 
with  the  importance  of  the  objects  w'ch  we  have  had  under 
consideration, — and  are  very  desirous  of  seeing  them  ac 
complished.  .  .  . 

"  It  is  now  near  12  at  Mght,  and  I  am  writing  with  an 
Aching  head,  having  been  constantly  employed  in  this  busi 
ness  since  the  22d,  without  assistance  from  my  Colleagues 
— Gen'l  Gates  having  been  sick  the  whole  time  &  Col° 
Blackburn  not  attending." — Washington  to  James  Madison. 

"  I  am  just  returned  from  Annapolis  to  which  place  I  was  requested  to  go 
by  our  Assembly  (with  my  bosom  friend  Genl.  G — tes,  who  being  at  Rich 
mond  contrived  to  edge  himself  into  the  commission)  for  the  purpose  of 
arranging  matters  and  framing  a  Law  which  should  be  similar  in  both  States, 
so  far  as  it  respected  the  river  Potomack  which  separates  them.  I  met  the 
most  perfect  accordance  in  that  legislature  ;  and  the  matter  is  now  reported 
to  ours,  for  its  consideration." — Washington  to  General  Knox,  January  5, 
1786. 


SATUEDAY,  JANUARY  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  January  1. — Col°  Bassett,  who 
brought  his  daughter  Fanny  to  this  place  to  remain  on  the 
24th  of  last  Month  set  off  on  his  return  to  the  Assembly 
now  sitting  at  Richmond. " —  Washington's  Diary. 

Colonel  Burwell  Bassett,  of  "  Eltham,"  New  Kent  County,  Virginia,  mar- 
rie  for  a  second  wife  Anna  Maria  Dandridge,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Washington. 
His  daughter  Fanny  married  George  Augustine  Washington,  a  nephew  of 
General  Washington  (son  of  his  brother  Charles),  at  Mount  Vernon, 
October  15,  1785. 

MONDAY,  JANUARY  3. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  January  3. — Doctr  Stuart — his  wife 
— Betcy  &  Patcy  Custis  who  had  been  here  since  the  27th 
Ulto  returned  home." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  Betcy  &  Patcy  Custis"  (Eliza  Parke  and  Martha  Parke  Custis)  were  the 
eldest  children  of  Mrs.  Dr.  Stuart,  by  her  first  husband,  John  Parke  Custis, 
the  son  of  Mrs.  Washington,  who  died  November  5,  1781.  The  younger 
children,  Eleanor  ("  Nelly")  Parke  and  George  Washington  Parke,  had 
been  adopted  by  Washington  and  were  living  at  Mount  Vernon.  With  the 
exception  of  the  latter,  all  the  others  were  born  at  "  Abingdon,"  a  planta 
tion  on  the  Potomac  River  immediately  above  Alexandria,  and  where  the 
family  were  living  at  this  time.  Dr.  David  Stuart  married  Mrs.  Custis,  who 
was  the  daughter  of  Benedict  Calvert,  of  Mount  Airy,  Prince  George's 
County,  Maryland,  in  the  fall  of  1783.  He  was  a  frequent  visitor  at  Mount 
Vernon,  and  was  held  in  much  respect  by  Washington. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  19. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  January  19. — Employed  until  din 
ner  in  laying  out  my  Serpentine  Road  &  Shrubberies  ad 
joining. — Just  as  we  had  done  dinner  a  Mr  "Watson — late  of 
the  House  of  Watson  &  Cossoul  of  Nantes — came  in,  and 

23 


24  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1785 

stayed  all  Night.     January  20. — Mr  "Watson  went  away  after 
breakfast." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  I  had  feasted  my  imagination  for  several  days  in  the  near  prospect  of 
a  visit  to  Mount  Vernon,  the  seat  of  Washington.  No  pilgrim  ever  ap 
proached  Mecca  with  deeper  enthusiasm.  I  arrived  there,  in  the  afternoon 
of  January  23d  [?]  '85.  ...  I  found  him  at  table  with  Mrs.  Washington 
and  his  private  family,  and  was  received  in  the  native  dignity  and  with  that 
urbanity  so  peculiarly  combined  in  the  character  of  a  soldier  and  eminent 
private  gentleman.  He  soon  put  me  at  ease,  by  unbending  in  a  free  and 
aifable  conversation.  .  .  . 

"The  first  evening  I  spent  under  the  wing  of  his  hospitality,  we  sat  a 
full  hour  at  table  by  ourselves,  without  the  least  interruption,  after  the 
family  had  retired.  I  was  extremely  oppressed  by  a  severe  cold  and  exces 
sive  coughing,  contracted  by  the  exposure  of  a  harsh  winter  journey.  He 
pressed  me  to  use  some  remedies,  but  I  declined  doing  so.  As  usual  after 
retiring,  my  coughing  increased.  When  some  time  had  elapsed,  the  door 
of  my  room  was  gently  opened,  and  on  drawing  my  bed-curtains,  to  my 
utter  astonishment,  I  beheld  Washington  himself,  standing  at  my  bed-side, 
with  a  bowl  of  hot  tea  in  his  hand. ' ' — Memoirs  of  Elkanah  Watson. 

THURSDAY,  JANUAKY  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  January  27. — Made  Mr  &  Mrs  Lund 
Washington  a  morning  visit — from  thence  I  went  to  Bel 
voir  and  viewed  the  ruined  buildings  of  that  place." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

Lund  Washington,  manager  of  the  Mount  Veinon  estate  during  the  Eev- 
olution,  was  a  third  cousin  of  General  Washington.  He  resided  at  "  Hay- 
field,  ' '  a  plantation  about  four  miles  northwest  of  Mount  Vernon.  ' '  Belvoir, ' ' 
the  estate  and  residence  of  Sir  William  Fairfax,  a  cousin  and  agent  of  Lord 
Thomas  Fairfax,  the  owner  of  an  immense  landed  estate  in  the  Northern 
Neck  of  Virginia,  was  situated  on  the  Potomac,  four  miles  below  Mount 
Vernon.  On  the  death  of  Sir  William  in  1757,  it  descended  to  his  son 
George  William  Fairfax,  the  friend  and  neighbor  of  George  Washington. 
Mr.  Fairfax  went  to  England  in  1773,  and  died  at  Bath,  April  3,  1787.  As 
he  had  no  children,  "  Belvoir"  was  devised  to  Ferdinando,  the  son  of  his 
brother,  the  Kev.  Bryan  Fairfax.  The  mansion-house  was  destroyed  by  fire 
shortly  after  his  leaving  America. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUAEY  2. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  February  2. — Employed  myself  (as 
there  could  be  no  stirring  without)  in  writing  Letters  by  the 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  25 

Post  and  in  Signing  83  Diplomas  for  the  members  of  the 
Society  of  the  Cincinnati — and  sent  them  to  the  care  of 
Col°  Fitzgerald  in  Alexandria — to  be  forwarded  to  General 
[Otho  H.]  Williams  of  Baltimore — the  Assistant  Secretary 
of  the  Society." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  FEBRUAKY  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Captain  Haskell,  in  the  ship  Mary, 
arrived  at  Alexandria  a  few  days  ago ;  but  a  frost,  which  at 
present  interrupts  the  navigation  of  the  river,  has  prevented 
my  sending  for  the  chimney-piece.  By  the  number  of  cases, 
however,  I  greatly  fear  it  is  too  elegant  and  costly  for  my 
room  and  republican  style  of  living." —  Washington  to  Benja 
min  Vaughan,  at  London. 

This  chimney-piece,  one  of  the  special  ornaments  of  the  mansion  at 
Mount  Vernon,  was  originally  made  for  Samuel  Yaughan,  a  resident  of 
London,  and  a  great  admirer  of  Washington.  It  was  wrought  in  Italy 
from  the  finest  white  and  sienite  marbles  for  Mr.  Vaughan's  own  use.  At 
the  time  of  its  arrival  in  England,  that  gentleman  was  informed  of  the  im 
provements  then  in  progress  at  Mount  Vernon,  and,  without  unpacking  it, 
he  directed  his  son  (Benjamin  Vaughan)  to  send  it  at  once  to  Washington. 
An  interesting  description  of  this  work  of  art  will  be  found  in  Lossing's 
"  Mount  Vernon  and  its  Associations." 

SATURDAY,  FEBRUARY  12. 

At  Alexandria,  Virginia:  "February  12. — Received  an 
Invitation  to  the  Funeral  of  Wm  Ramsay  Esqr  of  Alexandria 
— the  oldest  Inhabitant  of  the  Town  ;  &  went  up — walked  in 
procession  as  a  free  mason — Mr  Ramsay  in  his  life  time  being 
one  &  now  buried  with  the  ceremony  &  honors  due  to  one." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  February  22. — Removed  two  pretty 
large  &  full-grown  lilacs  to  the  ~N°  Garden  gate — one  on 
each  side  taking  up  as  much  dirt  with  the  roots  as  cd  be  well 
obtained.  .  .  .  I  also  removed  from  the  woods  and  old  fields, 
several  young  trees  of  the  sassafras,  Dogwood  &  Redbud,  to 


26  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1785 

the  Shrubbery  on  the  N°  side  the  grass  plot.  February  28. 
— Planted  all  the  Mulberry  trees,  Maple  trees,  &  Black  gums 
in  my  Serpentine  walks — and  the  Poplars  on  the  right  walk." 

—  Washington's  Diary. 

Washington  took  great  pleasure  in  planting  trees  and  shrubbery,  and  the 
diaries  of  1785-86  show  that  in  these  years  he  was  much  engaged  in  that 
business.  On  the  west  front  of  the  mansion  he  laid  out  a  fine  lawn  upon  a 
level  surface  of  about  twenty  acres,  and  around  it  made  a  serpentine  car 
riage-way,  on  each  side  of  which  he  planted  a  great  variety  of  shade-trees, 
some  of  which  are  still  standing.  The  lawn,  the  oval  grass-plot,  and  the 
gardens  were  laid  out  according  to  a  plan  drawn  by  himself,  and  still  remain 
unchanged  as  to  form. 

TUESDAY,  MAECH  8. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Some  imperfect  miniature  cuts  I 
send  you  under  cover  with  this  letter.  They  were  designed 
for  me  by  Miss  D'  Hart  of  Elizabethtown,  and  given  to 
Mrs.  Washington,  who,  in  sparing  them,  only  wishes  they 
may  answer  your  purpose.  For  her  I  can  get  none  cut  yet." 

—  Washington  to  William  Gordon. 

A  silhouette  published  in  volume  four  of  the  illustrated  edition  of  Irving's 
"Life  of  Washington,"  inscribed  "From  the  original  (cut  with  scissors)  by 
Miss  De  Hart,  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.  1783,"  is,  we  presume,  a  reproduction 
of  one  of  the  "  imperfect  miniature  cuts"  referred  to  in  the  above  letter.  It 
is  extremely  unlike  any  known  profile  of  Washington.  Miss  De  Hart  vis 
ited  Mount  Vernon  in  October,  1786.  She  remained  from  the  26th  to  the 
28th. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  20. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  March  20. — Major  Jenefir  came 
here  to  dinner — and  my  carriage  went  to  Gunston  Hall  to 
take  Col°  Mason  to  a  meeting  of  Comrs  at  Alexandria  for 
settling  the  Jurisdiction  of  Chesapeak  Bay  &  the  River 
Potomack  &  Pocomoke  between  the  States  of  Virginia  & 
Maryland. — The  Commissioners  on  the  Part  of  Virginia 
being  Col°  [George]  Mason — The  Attorney  General  [Ed 
mund  Randolph] — Mr  [James]  Madison  &  Mr  [Alexander] 
Henderson — on  that  of  Maryland,  Major  [Daniel  of  St. 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  27 

Thomas]  Jenifer,  Thorn8  Johnson,  Tho8  Stone  &  Sam1  Chase 
Esq™.  March  21. — Major  Jenifer  left  this  for  Alexandria 
after  Dinner." —  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  MAKCH  22. 

At  Alexandria :  "  March  22. — Went  to  Alexandria — 
dined  &  returned  in  the  Evening." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  MARCH  24. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  March  24. — Sent  my  Carriage  to 
Alexandria  for  Col°  Mason  according  to  appointment — who 
came  in,  about  dusk.  March  25. — About  One  o'clock 
Major  Jenifer,  Mr  Stone,  Mr  Chase,  &  Mr  Alexr  Henderson 
arrived  here.  March  27. — Mr  Henderson  went  to  Col 
chester  after  dinner  to  return  in  the  morning." —  Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  MAKCH  28. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  March  28. — Mr  Henderson  returned 
to  the  Meeting  of  the  Commissioners  ab*  10  Oclock — and 
Mr  Chase  went  away  after  dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 

The  commissioners,*  after  preparing  the  terms  of  a  compact  between  Vir 
ginia  and  Maryland  for  the  jurisdiction  over  the  waters  of  the  Chesapeake 
Bay  and  the  rivers  that  were  common  to  both  States,  took  up  matters  of 
general  policy,  and  decided  to  recommend  to  the  two  States  a  uniformity  of 
duties  on  imports,  a  uniformity  of  commercial  regulations,  and  a  uniformity 
of  currency.  From  this  resulted  (January,  1786)  a  proposition  from  Virginia 
that  a  convention  from  all  the  States  should  be  held  to  regulate  the  restric 
tions  on  commerce  for  the  whole,  the  commissioners  to  meet  at  Annapolis 
on  the  first  Monday  in  September,  1786.  The  invitations  to  the  States  were 
made  through  the  executive  of  Virginia,  although  Maryland  had  made 
(December,  1785)  the  first  move  in  the  matter. 

TUESDAY,  MAECH  29. 

At  Mount  Yernon :  "March  29. — Major  Jenifer,  Mr 
Stone  and  Mr  Henderson  went  away  before  breakfast  & 

*  Three  of  the  commissioners,  Edmund  Randolph  and  James  Madison  on 
the  part  of  Virginia,  and  Thomas  Johnson  on  the  part  of  Maryland,  were 
not  present  at  any  of  the  meetings  either  at  Alexandria  or  Mount  Vernon. 


28  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1785 

Col°  Mason  (in  my  Carriage)  after  it;  by  the  return  of 
which  he  sent  me  some  young  Shoots  of  the  Persian  Jessa 
mine  &  Guilder  Rose." —  'Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  APKIL  18. 

At  Alexandria:  "April  18. — Rid  to  Alexandria  to  the 
Election  of  Delagates  for  this  County  and  dined  at  Col° 
Fitzgeralds — Col°  Lynne  &  Doct*  Stewart  were  chosen, — & 
for  whom  I  gave  my  support." — Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  APKIL  21. 

At  Abingdon,  Virginia :  "  April  21. — After  an  early  din 
ner,  I  went  up  in  my  Barge  to  Abingdon,  in  order  to  bring 
M*  John  Lewis  (who  had  lain  there  sick  for  more  than  two 
months)  down — Took  my  Instruments,  with  intent  to  Sur 
vey  the  Land  I  hold  by  purchase  on  4  Mile  Run  [three 
miles  above  Alexandria]  of  Geo :  &  Ja8  Mercer  Esqr8  Called 
at  Alexandria  &  staid  an  hour  or  two." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  April  22. — Took  an  early  breakfast  at  Abingdon;  &  accompanied  by 
Doctr  Stewart  &  Lund  Washington,  and  having  sent  for  Mr  Moses  Ball 
(who  attended) ;  I  went  to  a  Corner  of  the  above  Land,  within  about  3  poles 
of  the  Eun  (4  Miles  Eun)  a  white  Oak,  18  inches  in  diameter,  on  the  side 
of  a  hill  ab'  150  yards  below  the  Euins  of  an  old  Mill  &  100  below  a  small 
Branch  which  comes  in  on  the  N°  El  side, — and  after  having  Eun  one  course 
&  part  of  another,  My  Servant  William  *  (one  of  the  Chain  Carriers)  fell, 
and  broke  the  pan  of  his  knee  wch  put  a  stop  to  my  surveying ;  &  with  much 
difficulty  I  was  able  to  get  him  to  Abingdon,  being  obliged  to  get  a  sled  to 
carry  him  on,  as  he  could  neither  Walk,  stand,  or  Eide : — At  Mr  Adams 
Mill  I  took  Lund  Washingtons  horse  &  came  home. " —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  APEIL  24. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  April  24. — An  Express  arrived  with 
the  ace*  of  the  Deaths  of  Mrs  Dandridge  &  M*  B.fartholo- 

*  William  ("  Billy")  Lee  was  Washington's  body-servant  during  the  Eev- 
olutionary  war.  He  survived  his  master,  who,  by  his  will,  gave  him  his 
freedom  and  an  annuity  of  thirty  dollars. 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  29 

mew]  Dandridge,  the  Mother  and  Brother  of  M™  Washing 
ton." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  APKIL  28. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "April  28. — To  Dinner  Mr  Pine  a 
pretty  eminent  Portrait  &  Historical  Painter  arrived  in 
order  to  take  my  picture  from  the  life  &  to  plan  it  in  the 
Historical  pieces  he  was  about  to  draw. — This  Gentleman 
stands  in  good  estimation  as  a  Painter  in  England ; — comes 
recommended  to  me  from  Col°  Fairfax — Mr  Morris — Govr 
Dickenson — Mr  Hopkinson  &  others." — Washington's  Diary. 

Robert  Edge  Pine,  a  painter  of  considerable  merit,  was  born  in  London 
in  the  year  1742.  He  came  to  America  in  1784,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
portraits  of  the  heroes  and  patriots  of  the  Revolution,  in  order  to  introduce 
them  in  historical  pictures  commemorating  the  events  of  that  period.  Pine 
remained  three  weeks  at  Mount  Vernon,  leaving  May  19,  and  besides  that 
of  Washington,  painted  also  the  portraits  of  the  two  grandchildren  of  Mrs. 
Washington.  He  died  at  Philadelphia,  November  19,  1788,  before  carrying 
out  his  design  of  painting  the  historical  pictures. 

FRIDAY,  APRIL  29. 

Leaves  Mount  Yernon :  "  April  29. — I  set  off  for  the  ap 
pointed  meeting  of  the  Dismal  Swamp  Company  *  at  Rich 
mond. — Dined  at  Dumfries  &  lodged  at  My  Sister  Lewis's  f 
(after  visiting  at  my  Mother)  in  Fredericksburgh." —  Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

"  April  30. — Dined  at  General  [Alexander]  Spotswoods,  and  lodged  at 
Mr  Jn°  Baylor's  (New  Market).  May  1 — Took  a  late  breakfast  at  Hanover 
C'  House — Went  from  thence  to  Mr  Peter  Lyon's  where  I  intended  to  dine, 
but  neither  he  nor  Mrs  Lyon  being  at  home,  I  proceeded  to,  &  arrived  at 

*  In  January,  1764,  a  company  was  formed  and  chartered  by  the  Legisla 
ture  of  Virginia  for  the  purpose  of  draining  and  rendering  fit  for  cultivation 
the  Great  Dismal  Swamp,  between  Norfolk  and  Albemarle  Sound.  Wash 
ington  was  one  of  the  company.  In  October,  1763,  he  penetrated  the  swamp 
and  examined  it  in  various  parts. 

f  Washington's  sister  Betty  married  Colonel  Fielding  Lewis,  of  Fredericks- 
burg,  in  1760.  Colonel  Lewis  died  December,  1781. 


30  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1785 

Eichmond  about  5  oclock  in  the  afternn — Supped,  &  lodged,  at  the  Govern 
ors  [Patrick  Henry]." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  MAY  2. 

At  Richmond :  "  May  2. — Received,  and  accepted  an  in 
vitation  to  dine  with  the  Sons  of  Saint  Taminy,  at  Mr 
Andersons  Tavern,  and  accordingly  did  so,  at  3  oclock. 
About  Noon,  having  assembled  a  sufficient  number  of  the 
Proprietors  of  the  Swamp,  we  proceeded  to  business  in  the 
Senate  Chamber;  &  continued  thereon  'till  dinner,  when 
we  adjourned  'till  nine  oclock  next  day." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"May  3. — Met  according  to  adjournment,  &  finished  the  business  by  3 
oclock — Dinner  at  the  Governors.  May  4. — After  doing  a  little  business,  & 
calling  upon  Judge  Mercer  and  the  Attorney  General,  I  left  Kichmond  about 
11  oclock — Dined  at  one  Winslow's  ab'  8  Miles  from  the  City,  &  lodged  at 
Clarks  Tavern  10  Miles  above  Hanover  Court  House.  May  6. — Breakfasted 
at  Bowling  Green — Dined  with  my  Sister  Lewis  in  Fredericksburgh — spent 
half  an  hour  with  my  Mother — and  lodged  at  Stafford  C'  House  (at  one 
Taylors  Tavern).  May  6. — Breakfasted  at  Dumfries,  &  dined  at  home." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MAY  15. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  May  15. — General  [John]  Cadwal- 
lader  came  here  yesterday.  May  17. — General  Cadwallader 
went  away  after  Breakfast." —  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  17. 

At  Alexandria:  "  May  17. — I  went  to  Alexandria  to  the 
appointed  meeting  of  the  Subscribers  to  the  Potomack 
Navigation.  Upon  comparing  &  examining  the  Books  of 
the  different  Managers,  it  was  found,  including  the  Sub 
scriptions  in  behalf  of  the  two  States,  &  the  50  Shares  which 
the  Assembly  of  Virginia  had  directed  to  be  Subscribed  for 
me  (&  which  I  then  declared  I  would  only  hold  in  trust  for 
the  State)  that  their  were  403  Shares  Subscribed;  which 
being  more  than  sufficient  to  constitute  the  Company  under 
the  Act — the  Subscribers  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  a 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  31 

President  &  4  Directors ; — the  first  of  which  fell  upon  me 
the  votes  for  the  other  four  fell  upon  [Ex]  Governors 
[Thomas]  Johnson  &  [Thomas  Sim]  Lee  of  Maryland — and 
Colonels  [John]  Fitzgerald  &  [George]  Gilpin  of  this  State. 
— Dined  at  Lomaxs  and  returned  in  the  afternoon." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  MAY  26. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  May  26. — Upon  my  return  [from 
riding  to  the  plantations]  found  Mr  Magowan,  and  a  Doctr 
Coke  &  a  Mr  Asbury  here — the  two  last  Methodist  Preachers 
recommended  by  Gen1  Roberdeau — the  same  who  were  ex 
pected  yesterday.  .  .  .  After  Dinner  Mr  Coke  &  Mr  Asbury 
went  away." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  26.— Mr.  Asbury  [Francis  Asbury,  Bishop  of  the  M.  E.  Church] 
and  I  set  off  for  General  Washington's.  We  were  engaged  to  dine  there  the 
day  before.  The  General's  seat  is  very  elegant ;  built  upon  the  great  river 
Potomawk  ;  for  the  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  which,  he  is  carrying 
on  jointly  with  the  State  some  amazing  Plans.  He  received  us  very  politely, 
and  was  very  open  to  access.  He  is  quite  the  plain,  Country-Gentleman. 
After  dinner  we  desired  a  private  interview,  and  opened  to  him  the  grand 
business  on  which  we  came,  presenting  to  him  our  petition  for  the  emancipa 
tion  of  the  Negroes,  and  entreating  his  signature,  if  the  eminence  of  his 
station  did  not  render  it  inexpedient  for  him  to  sign  any  petition.  He  in 
formed  us  that  he  was  of  our  sentiments,  and  had  signified  his  thoughts  on 
the  subject  to  most  of  the  great  men  of  the  State ;  that  he  did  not  see  it 
proper  to  sign  the  petition,  but  if  the  Assembly  took  it  into  consideration, 
would  signify  his  sentiments  to  the  Assembly  by  a  letter.  He  asked  us  to 
spend  the  evening  and  lodge  at  his  house,  but  our  engagement  at  Annapolis 
the  following  day  would  not  admit  of  it.  We  returned  that  evening  to 
Alexandria." — Journal  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Coke. 

MONDAY,  MAY  30. 

At  Alexandria  :  "  May  30. — I  went  to  Alexandria  to  meet 
the  Directors  of  the  Potomack  C° — Dined  at  Col°  Fitzger 
ald  and  Returned  in  the  Evening." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATUKDAY,  JUNE  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  June  4. — In  the  Afternoon  the  cel 
ebrated  M™  Macauly  Graham  &  Mr  Graham  her  Husband 


32  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1785 

arrived  here.  June  8. — Placed  my  Military  Records  into  the 
Hands  of  M™  Macauly  Graham  for  her  perusal  &  amuse 
ment.  June  14. — About  7  oclock  Mr  Graham  &  Mra  Ma 
cauly  left  this  on  their  Return  to  New  York — I  accompanied 
them  to  Mr  Digges's  *  to  which  place  I  had  her  Carriage  & 
horses  put  over — Mr  Digges  escorted  her  to  Bladensburgh." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

Mrs.  Catharine  Macaulay  Graham,  historian  and  controversialist,  was 
the  youngest  daughter  of  John  Sawbridge,  Esq.,  of  Olantigh,  Kent,  Eng 
land.  Her  first  husband  (1760)  was  Dr.  George  Macaulay,  her  second  (1778) 
William  Graham.  Her  most  famous  production  was  the  "  History  of  Eng 
land  from  the  Accession  of  James  I.  to  that  of  the  Brunswick  Line,"  eight 
volumes,  1763-1783,  which  attracted  great  attention  at  the  time,  but  has 
now  dropped  into  oblivion.  Her  visit  to  America  was  solely  for  the  purpose 
of  seeing  "Washington,  with  whom  she  had  previously  maintained  a  corre 
spondence.  She  died  in  1791,  at  the  age  of  sixty. 

THURSDAY,  JUNE  30. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  June  30. — Dined  with  only  Mw 
Washington  which  I  believe  is  the  first  instance  of  it  since 
my  retirement  from  public  life." — Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  JULY  1. 

At  Alexandria :  "  July  1. — Went  to  Alexandria  to  a  meet 
ing  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  who  by  Advertisement  were 
to  attend  this  day  for  the  purpose  of  agreeing  with  a  Mana 
ger  and  two  assistants  to  conduct  the  Undertaking  of  the 
Potomack  Navigation — but  no  person  applying  with  proper 
Credentials  the  Board  gave  the  applicants  until  thursday 
the  14th  to  provide  these  &  for  others  to  offer. 

"  Returned  in  the  Evening  accompanied  by  Col°  Bassett 
&  Col°  Spait  [Richard  D.  Spaight],  a  Member  of  Congress 
for  the  State  of  N°  Carolina." — Washington's  Diary. 

*  Mr.  George  Digges  was  a  wealthy  planter  on  the  Potomac,  in  Prince 
George's  County,  Maryland.  His  estate,  known  as  "  Warburton,"  was  in 
full  view  of  the  mansion  at  Mount  Vernon,  and  the  intercourse  between  the 
two  families  was  frequent  and  very  friendly. 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  33 

TUESDAY,  JULY  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  July  5. — After  dinner  Mr  Gov- 
ournr  Morris  and  Mr  Wm  Craik  came  in." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  July  6. — General  [Benjamin]  Lincoln  &  his  Son  came  to  Dinner  &  re 
turned  afterwards.  July  1. — MrGovournr  Morris  went  away  before  Break 
fast  as  did  Mr  Craik — Col°  Bassett  &  Mr  Geo  :  Washington  accompanied 
the  former  as  far  as  Alexandria — Mr  Arthur  Lee  came  to  Dinner,  to  which 
Col°  Bassett  &  G.  W.  returned." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  JULY  14. 

At  Alexandria :  "  July  14. — Went  through  my  Harvest 
field  at  Muddy  hole  to  Alexandria,  to  a  meeting  of  the  Di 
rectors  of  the  Potomack  Company — Agreed  with  Mr  James 
Rumsey  to  undertake  the  Management  of  our  "Works — and 
a  Mr  [Richardson]  Stuart  from  Baltimore  as  an  Assistant — 
Gave  them  directions — passed  some  acct8 — paid  my  quota  of 
the  demand  for  these  purposes  to  Mr  [William]  Hartshorne 
the  Treasurer — Made  Mre  Dalby  a  visit — and  came  home  in 
the  evening. 

"  Found  Mr  Bryan  Fairfax  *  &  his  son  Ferdinando  here  at 
my  return  who  had  come  down  before  dinner." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  26. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  July  26. — On  my  return  [from  din 
ing  with  Lund  Washington],  found  Mr  Will  Shaw  whom  I 
had  engaged  to  live  with  me  as  a  Book  Keeper,  Secretary 
&c.  here." — Washington's  Diary. 

Mr.  Shaw  remained  at  Mount  Vernon  in  the  capacity  of  book-keeper, 
etc.,  until  August  25,  1786,  when  he  left  for  Philadelphia,  to  embark  for  the 
West  Indies. 


*  Brother  of  George  William  Fairfax,  of  "  Belvoir,"  and  rector  of  Christ 
Church,  Alexandria,  1790-1792. 

3 


34  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1785 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "  July  27. — Mra  Fendal,  Miss  Lee 
(eldest  daughter  of  the  Presid*  of  Congress)  Miss  Nancy 
Lee,  Grand  daughter  of  Richd  Lee  Esqr  of  Maryland — Mr 
Cha8  Lee — &  Mr  Law6  Washington,  Lund  Washington  & 
their  Wives — and  Mr  Law6  Washington,  Son  of  Lawrence  & 
Mr  Tho8  Washington  Son  to  Robert  all  dined  here  and  went 
away  in  the  Afternoon." —  Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  1. 

At  George  Town,  Maryland  :  "  August  1. — Left  home  at 
6  Oclock  P.  [?  A.]  M.  and  after  escorting  Fanny  Bassett  to 
Alexandria  I  proceeded  to  Doctr  Stuarts  [at  Abingdon] 
where  I  breakfasted;  and  from  thence  went  to  George 
Town  to  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Potomack  Company 
appointed  to  be  held  at  that  place.  .  .  .  Dined  at  Shuters 
[Suter's]  Tavern,  and  lodged  at  Mr  Oneals." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

"  August  2. — Left  George  Town  about  10  Oclock,  in  Company  with  all 
the  Directors  except  Govr  Lee.  .  .  .  We  dined  at  Mr  Bealls  Mill  14  Miles 
from  George  Town  and  proceeded  to  a  Mr  Goldsboroughs,  a  decent  Farmers 
House  at  the  head  of  the  Seneca  Falls, — about  6  Miles  and  20  from  George 
Town.  August  3. — Having  provided  Canoes  and  being  joined  by  Mr  Rum- 
say  the  principal  Manager,  &  Mr  Stewart  an  assistant  to  him,  in  carrying 
on  the  Works,  we  proceeded  to  examine  the  falls ;  and  beginning  at  the 
head  of  them  went  through  the  whole  by  Water,  and  continued  from  the 
foot  of  them  to  the  Great  Falls.  .  .  .  Returned  back  by  the  way  of  Mr 
Bealls  Mill  to  our  old  Quarters  at  Mr  Goldsboroughs, — the  distance  as  esti 
mated  8  Miles.  August  4. — Engaged  nine  labourers  with  whom  to  com 
mence  the  Work." — Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  AUGUST  5. 

At  Frederick  Town,  Maryland :  "  August  5. — After  Break 
fast,  and  after  directing  Mr  Rumsey  when  he  had  marked 
the  way  and  set  the  labourers  to  work  to  meet  us  at  Harpers 
ferry  on  the  Evening  of  the  Morrow  (at  the  conflux  of  the 
Shannondoah  with  the  Potomack)  myself  and  the  Directors 
set  out  for  the  same  place  by  way  of  Frederick  Town 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  35 

(Maryland) — Dined  at  a  Dutchmans  2  Miles  above  the  M° 
of  Monocasy  &  reached  the  former  about  5  oclock — Drank 
Tea — supped — and  lodged  at  Govr  Johnsons." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

"In  the  Evening  the  Bells  Rang,  &  Guns  were  fired;  &  a  Committee 
waited  upon  me  by  order  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Town  to  request  that  I 
wd  stay  next  day  and  partake  of  a  publick  dinner  which  the  Town  were  de 
sirous  of  giving  me — But  as  arrangements  had  been  made,  and  the  time  for 
examining  the  Shannondoah  Falls,  previous  to  the  day  fixed  for  receiving 
labourers  into  pay,  was  short  I  found  it  most  expedient  to  decline  the 
honor. ' ' —  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  AUGUST  6. 

At  Harper's  Ferry :  "  August  6. — Breakfasted  in  Frederick 
Town,  at  Govr  Johnsons,  and  dined  at  Harpers  Ferry — 
took  a  view  of  the  River,  from  the  Banks  as  we  road  up  the 
bottom  from  Pains  falls  to  the  Ferry,  as  well  as  it  could  be 
done  on  Horse  back. — Sent  a  Canoe  in  a  Waggon  from  the 
Ferry  to  Keeptriest  Furnace  in  ordr  to  descend  the  Falls 
therin  to-morrow." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"August  7. — About  Sunrising,  the  Directors  &  myself  Rid  up  to  Keep- 
trieste,  where  Canoes  were  provided,  in  which  we  crossed  to  the  Maryland 
side  of  the  River  and  examined  a  Gut,  or  swash,  through  which  it  is  sup 
posed  the  Navigation  must  be  conducted.  .  .  .  Having  examined  this  pas 
sage,  I  returned  to  the  head  of  the  fall  and  in  one  of  the  Canoes  with  two 
skilful  hands  descended  them  with  the  common  curr*  in  its  natural  bed. 
.  .  .  Here  (at  the  Ferry)  we  breakfasted ;  after  which  we  set  out  to  explore 
the  Falls  below ;  .  .  .  At  the  foot  of  these  Falls  The  Directors  &  myself 
(Govr  Lee  having  joined  us  in  the  Evening  before)  held  a  meeting.  .  .  . 
Govr  Lee  left  us  at  this  place — the  rest  of  us  returned  to  the  Tavern  at  Har 
pers  Ferry." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  8. 

At  Harper's  Ferry  :  "  August  8. — This  being  the  day  ap 
pointed  for  labourers  to  engage  in  the  work  we  waited  to 
see  the  issue  until  Evening.  .  .  .  Many  Gentlemen  of  the 
Neighbourhood  visited  us  here  to  day.  ...  A  few  hands 
offered  and  were  employed." —  Washington's  Diary. 


36  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1785 

"Having  provided  a  light  &  convenient  Boat — hired  two  hands  to  work 
her — and  laid  in  some  Stores,  Colonels  Fitzgerald  &  Gilpin,  and  myself 
embarked  in  it  about  6  Oclock  P.  M.  In  this  Boat  we  passed  through  the 
Spout,  and  all  the  other  Falls  and  Kapids,  and  breakfasted  at  a  Captn  Smiths 
on  the  Maryland  side ;  to  which  place  our  horses  had  been  sent  the  Evening 
before — after  which  and  dining  on  our  prog  at  Knowlands  Ferry  (about  15 
Miles  from  Harpers)  we  lodged  at  the  House  of  a  Mr  Taylor,  about  three 
Miles  above  the  Mouth  of  Goose  Creek,  and  about  10  M.  below  Knowlands. 
August  10. — Before  Sun  rise  we  embarked,  and  about  Nine  Oclock  arrived 
at  the  head  of  the  Seneca  Falls  and  breakfasted  with  our  old  Landlord  Mr 
Goldsborough  to  which  place  our  horses  had  proceeded  the  over  Night  from 
Captn  Smiths.  .  .  .  After  Breakfasting,  and  spending  some  time  with  the 
labourers  at  their  different  Works,  of  blowing,  removing  Stone,  and  getting 
Coal  wood  &c— we  left  the  Seneca  Falls  about  2  oclock  A.  [?  P.]  M.,  & 
crossing  the  Kiver  about  half  a  mile  below  them  and  a  little  above  Capta 
Trammels  we  got  into  the  great  Koad  from  Leesburgh  to  Alexandria  and 
about  half  after  Nine  O'clock  in  the  Evening  I  reached  home  after  an 
absence  from  it  of  10  days." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATUKDAY,  AUGUST  13. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  The  great  object  for  the  accom 
plishment  of  which  I  wish  to  see  the  inland  navigation  of 
the  rivers  Potomack  and  James  improved  and  extended  is 
to  connect  the  western  territory  with  the  Atlantic  states. 
All  others  with  me  are  secondary ;  though  I  am  clearly  of 
opinion  that  it  will  greatly  increase  our  commerce  and  be  an 
immense  saving  in  the  article  of  transportation  and  draft 
cattle  to  the  planters  and  farmers  who  are  in  a  situation  to 
have  the  produce  of  their  labor  water-borne.  ...  I  have 
already  subscribed  five  shares  to  the  Potomack  navigation ; 
and  enclosed  I  give  you  a  power  to  put  my  name  down  for 
five  shares  to  that  of  James  river." —  Washington  to  Edmund 
Randolph. 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  81. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  August  31.— This  day  I  told  Doctr 
Craik  that  I  would  contribute  One  hundred  Dollars  pr 
Annum,  as  long  as  it  was  necessary,  towards  the  Education 
of  His  Son  Geo  "Washington  either  in  this  Country  or  in 
Scotland." —  Washington's  Diary. 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  37 

Dr.  James  Craik,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  was  born 
in  Scotland,  and  settled  in  Virginia  in  the  year  1753.  He  joined  the  expe 
dition  to  the  Ohio  in  1754,  and  was  with  Colonel  Washington  at  the  battle 
of  the  Great  Meadows  and  the  surrender  of  "Fort  Necessity,"  in  July  of 
that  year.  Dr.  Craik  was  in  the  Braddock  campaign  of  1755,  and  remained 
attached  to  the  Virginia  troops  until  about  1763.  He  also  served  as  a 
surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  friendship  formed  between  Wash 
ington  and  the  doctor  in  1754  lasted  through  their  lives,  and  he  was  a  fre 
quent  and  most  welcome  guest  at  Mount  Vernon.  He  attended  the  General 
in  his  last  illness,  and  was  remembered  in  his  will  as  his  "  compatriot  in 
arms  and  old  and  intimate  friend."  Dr.  Craik  died  February  6,  1814,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-two. 

THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "The  hounds  which  you  were  so 
obliging  as  to  send,  arrived  safe,  and  are  of  promising  ap 
pearance." —  Washington  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette. 

'•'•September  19. — Rid  to  the  Plantations  at  the  Ferry,  Dogue  run,  and 
Muddy  hole — took  my  French  Hounds  with  me  for  the  purpose  of  Airing 
them  &  giving  them  a  knowledge  of  the  grounds  about  the  place.  Novem 
ber  29. — Went  out  after  Breakfast  with  my  hounds  from  France.  December 
1. — Took  the  Hounds  out  before  Sun  Rise.  .  .  .  3  or  4  of  the  French  Hd8 
discovered  no  greater  disposition  for  Hunting  to  day  than  they  did  on  tues- 
day  last.  December  5. — It  being  a  good  scenting  Morning  I  went  out  with 
the  Hounds.  .  .  .  My  French  Hounds  performed  better  to  day." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  3. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  September  3. — In  the  Evening  James 
Madison  Esq.  came  in.  September  5. — Mr  Madison  left  this 
after  Breakfast"--  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  6. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  September  6. — A  Mr  Taylor  Clerk  to 
the  Secretary  for  Foreign  Affairs  came  here  whilst  we  were 
at  Dinner,  sent  by  Mr  Jay,  by  order  of  Congress,  to  take 
Copies  of  the  Report  of  the  Commissioners  who  had  been 
sent  in  by  me  to  New  York,  to  take  an  Acct.  of  the  Slaves 
which  had  been  sent  from  that  place  (previous  to  the  evacu 
ation)  by  the  British." —  Washington's  Diary. 


38  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1785 

FEIDAT,  SEPTEMBEK  9. 

At  Alexandria :  "  September  9. — Rid  up  to  Alexandria 
with  Mr8  Washington,  who  wanted  to  get  some  Cloathing 
for  little  Washington  Custis ;  and  for  the  purpose  of  seeing 
Col°  Fitzgerald  &  Col°  Gilpin  on  the  business  of  the  Poto- 
mack  Company — Returned  home  to  Dinner." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

SATUKDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  10. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  September  10. — Rid  with  Fanny 
Bassett,  Mr  Taylor  and  Mr  Shaw  to  meet  a  Party  from 
Alexandria  at  Johnsons  Spring  (on  my  Land  where  Clifton 
formerly  lived)  where  we  dined  on  a  cold  dinner  brought 
from  Town  by  water  and  spent  the  Afternoon  agreeably — 
Returning  home  by  Sun  down  or  a  little  after  it." —  Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  20. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon  :  "  September  20. — About  Noon, 
agreeably  to  an  appointment  I  set  off  for  the  Seneca  Falls — 
dined  at  Col°  Gilpins  and  proceeded  afterwards  with  him 
to  Mr  Bryan  Fairfaxs*  where  we  lodged." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"September  21. — The  Rain  continuing  without  intermission  until  10  or  11 
oclock,  and  no  appearances  of  fair  weather  until  Noon,  we  did  not  leave  Mr 
Fairfaxs  'till  a  little  after  it  and  then  meeting  much  difficulty  in  procuring 
a  vessel,  did  not  get  to  the  Works  at  the  Seneca  falls  until  the  labourers  had 
quit  them. — we  then  went  to  our  old  quarters  at  Mr  Goldsboroughs  were 
lodged — Mr  Fairfax  accompanied  us.  September  22. — About  10  oclock  we 
left  Mr  Goldsboroughs  &  in  a  boat  passed  down  the  Seneca  falls  to  the  place 
where  the  workmen  were  blowing  Rocks.  .  .  .  After  viewing  the  works  we 
crossed  to  the  Virginia  side  and  proceeded  to  the  Great  Falls  where  by  ap 
pointment  we  were  to  have  met  Col°  Fitzgerald — and  Vessels  to  take  us  by 
Water  to  the  little  Falls  in  order  to  review  the  River  between  the  two. — The 

*  The  Rev.  Bryan  Fairfax  resided  at  "  Towlston,"  about  three  miles  from 
the  Great  Falls  of  the  Potomac.  In  the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  lived  at 
"  Mount  Eagle,"  between  Alexandria  and  Mount  Vernon,  where  he  died  in 
1802. 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  39 

latter  we  found,  but  not  the  first,  &  parting  with  Mr  Fairfax  here,  and 
sending  our  Horses  by  Land  to  Mr  Hipkins's  at  the  Falls  Warehouse  we 
embarked  about  3  oclock ;  Col°  Gilpin  myself  &  one  hand  in  one  Canoe,  and 
two  other  people  in  another  Canoe,  and  proceeded  down  the  Kiver  to  the 
place  where  it  is  proposed  to  let  the  Water  again  into  a  Canal  to  avoid  the 
little  Falls.  .  .  .  Lodged  this  Night  at  Mr  Hipkins's  at  the  Falls  warehouse 
where  we  arrived  at  Dark.  September  23. — After  taking  an  Early  breakfast 
at  Mr  Hipkins's  I  set  out  and  reached  home  about  11  oclock." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  26. 

At  Alexandria:  "  September  26. — Went  up  to  Alexandria 
to  meet  Colonels  Gilpin  &  Fitzgerald  on  business  of  the 
Potomack  Comp7.  Dined  at  the  New  Tavern,  kept  by  Mr 
Lyle." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  2. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  2. — Went  with  Fanny  Bas- 
sett,  Burwell  Bassett,  Doctr  Stuart,  G.  A.  Washington,  Mr 
Shaw  &  Nelly  Custis  to  Pohick  Church;  to  hear  a  Mr 
Thompson  preach,  who  returned  home  with  us  to  Dinner, 
where  I  found  the  Rev.  Mr  Jones,*  formerly  a  Chaplin  in 
one  of  the  Pennsylvania  Regiments. — After  we  were  in 
Bed  (about  Eleven  oclock  in  the  Evening)  Mr  Houdon,  sent 
from  Paris  by  Doctr  Franklin  and  Mr  Jefferson  to  take  My 
Bust,  in  behalf  of  the  State  of  Virginia,  with  three  young 
men  assistants,  introduced  by  a  Mr  Perin  a  French  Gentle 
man  of  Alexandria  arrived  here  by  Water  from  the  latter 
place.  October  7. — Sat  this  day,  as  I  had  done  yesterday 
for  Mr  Houdon  to  form  my  Bust." — Washington's  Diary. 

The  General  Assembly  of  Virginia  having  passed  a  resolution  (June  22, 
1784)  that  "  The  Executive  be  requested  to  take  measures  for  procuring  a 
statue  of  General  Washington,  to  be  of  the  finest  marble  and  best  workman 
ship,"  Governor  Harrison  directed  Thomas  Jefferson,  then  in  Paris,  to 
engage  the  services  of  a  suitable  person  for  the  purpose.  Mr.  Jefferson 
thereupon  contracted  with  the  celebrated  statuary,  Jean  Antoine  Houdon, 


*  David  Jones,  of  Chester  County,   Pennsylvania,  chaplain  of  General 
Anthony  Wayne  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  the  Indian  war  of  1794-95. 


40  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1785 

to  undertake  the  work.  Mr.  Houdon  was  unwilling  to  do  so  without  seeing 
Washington,  and  accordingly  arrangements  were  made  for  his  visiting  the 
United  States.  He  remained  at  Mount  Vernon  until  Octoher  19,  during 
which  time  he  made  a  cast  of  the  face,  from  which  a  bust  was  modelled,  and 
took  minute  measurements  of  the  figure  of  Washington.  The  statue  was 
completed  in  1788,  but  was  not  put  in  position  in  the  Capitol  at  Kichmond 
until  May  14,  1796.  The  figure  has  been  pronounced  by  Lafayette  "a  fac 
simile  of  Washington's  person,"  while  the  bust  is  held  as  the  acknowledged 
likeness  of  the  great  American. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBEK  10. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  10. — A  Mr  Jn°  Lone,  on  his 
way  to  Bishop  Seabury  for  ordination,  called  &  dined  here 
— could  not  give  him  more  than  a  general  certificate  founded 
on  information,  respecting  his  character — having  no  ac 
quaintance  with  him,  nor  any  desire  to  open  a  Correspond 
ence  with  the  new  ordained  Bishop." —  Washington's  Diary. 

Dr.  Samuel  Seabury  was  elected  Bishop  of  Connecticut,  by  the  Church  of 
England  clergy  of  that  State,  at  Woodbury,  March  25,  1783,  and  finally 
consecrated  November  14,  1784,  at  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  by  Bishops  Kilgour, 
Petrie,  and  Skinner,  representing  the  episcopate  of  the  Scottish  Church.  He 
was  the  first  Bishop  of  the  American  Church. 

WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBER  12. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  12. — Mr  Livingston  eon  of 
Peter  Vanbrugh  Livingston  of  New  York  came  to  Dinner 
&  stayed  all  Night — and  in  the  Evening  Mr  Madison  ar 
rived." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  13. — Mr  Livingston,  notwithstanding  the  Rain,  returned  to 
Alexandria  after  dinner.  October  14. — Mr  Madison  went  away  after  Break 
fast." —  Washington' 's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  15. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  October  15. — The  Reverend  Mr 
[Spence]  Grayson,  and  Doctr  [David]  Griffith ;  Lund  Wash 
ington,  his  wife,  &  Miss  Stuart  came  to  Dinner — all  of 
whom  remained  the  Evening  except  L.  W. — After  the 
Candles  were  lighted  George  Auge  Washington  and  Frances 
Bassett  were  married  by  Mr  Grayson." —  Washington's  Diary. 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  41 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  17. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  17. — Set  out  to  meet 
the  Directors  of  the  Potomack  Navigation  at  George  Town, 
— where  having  all  assembled,  we  proceeded  towards  the 
Great  Falls,  and  dispersing  for  the  convenience  of  obtaining 
Quarters,  Govr  Johnson  &  I  went  to  Mr  Bryan  Fairfax." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  18. — After  an  early  breakfast  at  Mr  Fairfax's  Govr  Johnson  &  1 
set  out  for  the  Falls  (accompanied  by  Mr  Fairfax)  where  we  met  the  other 
Directors — and  Col°  Gilpin  in  the  operation  of  levelling  the  ground  for  the 
proposed  cut  or  Canal  from  the  place  where  it  is  proposed  to  take  the  Water 
out  to  the  other  where  it  will  be  let  into  the  River  again.  .  .  .  After  dark  I 
returned  to  Mr  Fairfax's.  October  19. — Immediately  after  breakfast  I  get 
out  for  my  return  home — at  which  I  arrived  a  little  after  Noon. — And  found 
my  Brother  Jn°  [Augustine]  his  Wife ,  Daughter  Milly,  &  Sons  Bushrod  & 
Corbin,  &  the  Wife  of  the  first.— Mr  Willm  Washington  &  his  Wife  &  4 
Children. " —  Washington's  Diary. 

FKIDAY,  OCTOBER  21. 

At  Alexandria:  '•'•October  21. — My  Brother  [and]  Mr 
Willm  Washington  and  his  Wife  went  up  with  me  to  this 
days  Races  at  Alexandria — We  dined  at  Col°  [Dennis] 
Ramsays  &  returned  in  the  Evening.  October  22. — Went 
up  again  to  day,  with  my  Brother  and  the  rest  of  the  Gen 
tlemen  to  the  Race  &  dined  at  Mr  [William]  Herberts." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  Declines,  in  a  letter  to  Patrick  Henry, 
Governor  of  Virginia,  to  accept  fifty  shares  in  the  Potomac 
Company  and  one  hundred  shares  in  the  James  River  Com 
pany,  voted  to  him  January  5  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  State ;  "  it  being  their  wish  in  particular,  that  those 
great  works  of  improvement,  which,  both  as  springing 
from  the  liberty  which  he  has  been  so  instrumental  in  es 
tablishing,  and  as  encouraged  by  his  patronage,  will  be 
durable  monuments  of  his  glory,  may  be  made  monuments 
also  of  the  gratitude  of  his  country." 


42  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1785 

In  this  letter,  after  referring  to  his  fixed  determination  of  refusing  every 
pecuniary  recompense  for  his  services  to  his  country,  Washington  wrote, 
"  But  if  it  should  please  the  General  Assembly  to  permit  me  to  turn  the 
destination  of  the  fund  vested  in  me,  from  my  private  emolument,  to  objects 
of  a  public  nature,  it  will  be  my  study  in  selecting  these  to  prove  the  sin 
cerity  of  my  gratitude  for  the  honor  conferred  on  me,  by  preferring  such  as 
may  appear  most  subservient  to  the  enlightened  and  patriotic  views  of  the 
legislature."  This  proposition  the  Assembly  acceded  to,  such  disposition  to 
be  made  either  during  his  lifetime  or  by  testamentary  writing. 

By  his  last  will  and  testament  Washington  bequeathed  the  one  hundred 
shares  in  the  James  Kiver  Company  to  the  "  Liberty  Hall  Academy  in  the 
County  of  Rockbridge,  in  the  Commonwealth  of  Virga,  "  now  the  Washing 
ton  and  Lee  University  of  Lexington  ;  and  the  fifty  shares  of  the  Potomac 
Company  "towards  the  endowment  of  a  University  to  be  established  within 
the  limits  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  under  the  auspices  of  the  General 
Government. ' ' 


MONDAY,  OCTOBEE  31. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  31. — A  Captain  [Richard] 
Fullerton  came  here  to  Dinner  on  business  of  the  State 
Society  of  the  Cincinnati  of  Pensylvania;  for  whom  I 
signed  250  Diplomas  as  President. — went  away  after." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  4. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  November  4. — In  the  Evening  a  Mr 
Jn°  Fitch  came  in,  to  propose  a  draft  &  Model  of  a  Machine 
for  promoting  Navigation,  by  means  of  a  Steam." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 


John  Fitch,  who  in  April,  1785,  first  conceived  the  idea  of  steam  as  a 
motive-power  for  vessels,  and  had  a  few  months  later  (September)  submitted 
a  model  for  his  steamboat  before  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  visited 
Virginia  at  this  time,  in  order  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  assistance  to 
complete  his  invention. 

Washington  does  not  seem  to  have  taken  any  interest  in  the  object  of  his 
visit,  and  even  when  at  Philadelphia  in  1787,  in  attendance  on  the  Consti 
tutional  Convention,  was  not  present  at  the  successful  attempt  made  by 
Fitch  (August  22)  to  propel  a  boat  of  some  size  on  the  Delaware,  although  a 
number  of  the  members  of  the  Convention  seem  to  have  witnessed  it. 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  43 

SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  5. — Mr  Robert  Washing 
ton  of  Chotanck — Mr  Lund  Washington  &  Mr  Lawrence 
Washington  dined  here  as  did  Col°  Gilpin  &  Mr  Noah 
Webster — the  4  first  went  away  afterwards — the  last  stayed 
all  Mght." — Washington's  Diary. 

Noah  Webster,  LL.D.,  the  author  of  the  "  American  Dictionary  of  the 
English  Language,"  first  published  in  1828,  had  previously  visited  Mount 
Vernon  (May  20).  His  journey  to  the  Southern  States  was  for  the  purpose 
of  petitioning  their  Legislatures  to  enact  a  copyright  law.  It  is  stated  that 
when  at  Mount  Vernon,  Dr.  Webster  presented  Washington  with  a  copy  of 
his  pamphlet  entitled  "  Sketches  of  American  Policy,"  published  in  1784,  in 
which  he  argued  that  a  new  system  of  government  was  necessary  for  the 
country,  in  which  the  people  and  Congress  should  act  without  the  constant 
intervention  of  the  States.  This  is  believed  to  have  been  the  first  movement 
toward  a  national  constitution. 

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  8. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  8. — A  Captn  Lewis  Little- 
page  came  here  to  Dinner.  .  .  .  This  Captn  Littlepage  has 
been  Aid  de  Camp  to  the  Duke  de  Crillen — was  at  the 
Sieges  of  Fort  St.  Phillip  (on  the  Island  of  Minorca)  and 
Gibralter;  and  is  an  extraordinary  character." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

Lewis  Littlepage,  son  of  Colonel  James  Littlepage,  was  born  in  Hanover 
County,  Virginia,  December  19,  1762.  He  was  graduated  at  William  and 
Mary  College  in  1778,  and  being  a  relative  of  John  Jay,  then  minister  to 
Madrid,  he  joined  him  in  the  winter  of  1779-80.  He  volunteered  in  the 
expedition  of  the  Due  de  Crillon  against  Minorca  in  1782,  and  at  the  attack 
on  Gibraltar  was  blown  up  from  one  of  the  floating  batteries,  but  saved. 
He  subsequently  made  the  tour  of  Europe,  established  himself  at  Warsaw, 
and  went  to  St.  Petersburg  as  ambassador  from  Poland.  He  died  at  Fred- 
ericksburg,  Virginia,  July  19,  1802. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  10. 

At  Alexandria :  "  November  10. — Went  up  to  Alexandria 
to  meet  the  Directors  of  the  Potomack  Company. — Dined 
at  Mr  [Philip  Richard]  Fendalls  (who  was  from  home)  and 


44  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  [1785 

returned  in  the  Evening  with  M™  Washington." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  16. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  16. — Richard  Henry  Lee, 
lately  President  of  Congress ;  *  his  son  Ludwell,  Col°  Fitz 
gerald,  and  a  MP  Hunter  (Merch*)  of  London  came  to  Dinner 
&  stayed  all  Night." — Washington's  Diary. 

"November  16. — We  arrived  at  Mount  Vernon  by  one  o'clock — so-called 
by  the  General's  eldest  brother,  who  lived  there  before  him,  after  the  Ad 
miral  of  that  name.  When  Colonel  Fitzgerald  introduced  me  to  the  Gen 
eral  I  was  struck  with  his  noble  and  venerable  appearance.  It  immediately 
brought  to  my  mind  the  great  part  he  had  acted  in  the  late  war.  The  Gen 
eral  is  about  six  feet  high,  perfectly  straight  and  well  made  ;  rather  inclined 
to  be  lusty.  His  eyes  are  full  and  blue  and  seem  to  express  an  air  of  gravity. 
His  nose  inclines  to  the  aquiline  ;  his  mouth  is  small ;  his  teeth  are  yet  good 
and  his  cheeks  indicate  perfect  health.  His  forehead  is  a  noble  one  and  he 
wears  his  hair  turned  back,  without  curls  and  quite  in  the  officer's  style,  and 
tyed  in  a  long  queue  behind.  Altogether  he  makes  a  most  noble,  respectable 
appearance,  and  I  really  think  him  the  first  man  in  the  world.  .  .  .  When 
I  was  first  introduced  to  him  he  was  neatly  dressed  in  a  plain  blue  coat, 
white  cassimir  waistcoat,  and  black  breeches  and  Boots,  as  he  came  from  his 
farm.  After  having  sat  with  us  some  time  he  retired  and  sent  in  his  lady,  a 
most  agreeable  woman  about  50,  and  Major  Washington  his  nephew,  mar 
ried  about  three  weeks  ago  to  a  Miss  Bassett :  She  is  Mrs.  Washington's 
niece  and  a  most  charming  young  woman.  She  is  about  19.  After  chatting 
with  them  for  half  an  hour,  the  General  came  in  again,  with  his  hair  neatly 
powdered,  a  clean  shirt  on,  a  new  plain  drab  coat,  white  waistcoat  and  white 
silk  stockings.  At  three,  dinner  was  on  the  table,  and  we  were  shewn  by 
the  General  into  another  room,  where  everything  was  set  off  with  a  peculiar 
taste,  and  at  the  same  time  very  neat  and  plain.  The  General  sent  the  bottle 
about  pretty  freely  after  dinner,  and  gave  success  to  the  navigation  of  the 
Potomac  for  his  toasts,  which  he  has  very  much  at  heart,  and  when  finished 
will  I  suppose  be  the  first  river  in  the  world.  .  .  . 

"  After  tea  General  Washington  retired  to  his  study  and  left  us  with  the 
President,  his  lady  and  the  rest  of  the  Company.  If  he  had  not  been 
anxious  to  hear  the  news  of  Congress  from  Mr.  Lee,  most  probably  he  would 
not  have  returned  to  supper,  but  gone  to  bed  at  his  usual  hour,  nine  o'clock, 


*  Kichard  Henry  Lee  was  President  of  Congress  from  November  30,  1784, 
to  November  4,  1785. 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  45 

for  he  seldom  makes  any  ceremony.  We  had  a  very  elegant  supper  about 
that  time.  The  General  with  a  few  glasses  of  champagne  got  quite  merry, 
and  being  with  his  intimate  friends  laughed  and  talked  a  good  deal.  Before 
strangers  he  is  generally  very  reserved,  and  seldom  says  a  word." — Diary  of 
John  Hunter,  Pennsylvania  Magazine,  vol.  xvii.  p.  76. 


THUESDAY,  NOVEMBEE  17. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  November  17. — Col°  Lee  &  all  the 
Company  [including  Mr.  Hunter]  went  away  after  Break 
fast." —  Washington's  Diary. 


"  November  17. — I  rose  early  and  took  a  walk  about  the  General's  grounds 
— which  are  really  beautifully  laid  out.  He  has  about  4000  acres  well  culti 
vated  and  superintends  the  whole  himself.  Indeed  his  greatest  pride  now  is, 
to  be  thought  the  first  farmer  in  America.  He  is  quite  a  Cincinnatus,  and 
often  works  with  his  men  himself— strips  off  his  coat  and  labors  like  a  common 
man.  The  General  has  a  great  turn  for  mechanics.  It's  astonishing  with 
what  niceness  he  directs  everything  in  the  building  way,  condescending  even 
to  measure  the  things  himself,  that  all  may  be  perfectly  uniform.  The  style 
of  his  house  is  very  elegant,  something  like  the  Prince  de  Conde's  at  Chan- 
tille,  near  Paris,  only  not  quite  so  large ;  but  it's  a  pity  he  did  not  build  a 
new  one  at  once,  as  it  has  cost  him  nearly  as  much  repairing  his  old  one.  His 
improvements  I'm  told  are  very  great  within  the  last  year.  .  .  .  It's  aston 
ishing  what  a  number  of  small  houses  the  General  has  upon  his  Estate  for 
his  different  Workmen  and  Negroes  to  live  in.  He  has  everything  within 
himself— Carpenters,  Bricklayers,  Brewers,  Blacksmiths,  Bakers,  etc  ,  etc., 
and  even  has  a  well  assorted  Store  for  the  use  of  his  family  and  servants.  .  .  . 
The  General  has  some  hundreds  of  Negroes  on  his  plantations.  He  chiefly 
grows  Indian  corn,  wheat  and  tobacco.  .  .  .  The  situation  of  Mount  Vernon 
is  by  nature  one  of  the  sweetest  in  the  world,  and  what  makes  it  still  more 
pleasing  is  the  amazing  number  of  sloops  that  are  constantly  sailing  up  and 
down  the  Kiver." — Diary  of  John  Hunter. 


MONDAY,  NOVEMBEE  21. 

At  Alexandria :  "  November  21. — I  went  up  to  Alexandria 
with  G.  Washington  to  meet  the  Directors  of  the  Potomack 
Coma  and  to  a  Turtle  feast  (the  Turtle  given  by  myself  to 
the  Gentlemen  of  Alexa).  Returned  in  the  Evening  and 
found  the  Count  Doradour,  recommended  by  &  related  to 
the  Marq"  de  la  Fayette  here." —  Washington's  Diary. 


46  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1785 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  25. 

At  Gunston  Hall :  "  November  25. — Set  out  after  break 
fast,  accompanied  by  Mr  G.  Washington,  to  make  Mr  Mason 
at  Colchester  a  visit,  but  hearing  on  the  Road  that  he  had 
removed  from  thence  I  turned  into  Gunston  Hall  where  we 
dined  and  returned  in  the  Evening  &  found  Col°  Henry  Lee 
&  his  Lady  here." — Washington's  Diary. 


Gunston  Hall,  on  the  Potomac,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Occoquan  River, 
below  Mount  Vernon,  was  the  residence  of  George  Mason,  author  of  "The 
Virginia  Bill  of  Rights."  The  house,  erected  by  Mr.  Mason  about  the  year 
1758,  is  still  standing,  although  no  longer  in  possession  of  the  Mason  family. 


FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  2. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "December  2. — Col°  &  Mw  [Daniel] 
Macarty  came  here  to  Dinner — as  did  Colonels  Fitzgerald 
and  Gilpin — and  Mr  Cha"  Lee  &  Doctr  Baker." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  4. — Last  Mght  Jn°  Alton, 
an  Overseer  of  mine  in  the  Neck — an  old  &  faithful  Servant 
who  had  lived  with  me  30  odd  years  died — and  this  evening 
the  wife  of  Tho8  Bishop,  another  old  Servant  who  had  lived 
with  me  an  equal  number  of  years  also  died." — Washington's 
Diary. 


John  Alton,  a  Welshman  by  birth,  attended  Washington  in  the  Braddock 
campaign  of  1755.  Thomas  Bishop  (the  death  of  whose  wife  is  noted  in  the 
Diary)  came  to  America  in  1755,  as  a  military  servant  to  General  Braddock, 
and  at  the  battle  of  the  Monongahela  (July  9)  was  detailed  by  that  com 
mander  to  wait  upon  Washington,  who  had  barely  recovered  from  a  severe 
attack  of  illness.  After  the  death  of  Braddock  he  took  service  with  the 
young  Virginia  colonel,  and  was  in  attendance  upon  him  the  day  of  his  first 
interview  with  the  widow  Custis.  Bishop  was  deemed  too  old  for  active 
service  in  the  Revolution,  and  remained  at  Mount  Vernon.  He  died  in 
January,  1795,  aged  eighty  years. 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  47 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBEK  8. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  8. — Captn  Fairley  [James 
Fairlie]  of  New  York  came  here  in  the  Afternoon." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"December  12. — Majr  Farlie  went  away  before  breakfast,  with  251  Di 
plomas  which  I  had  signed  for  the  Members  of  the  Cincinnati  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  at  the  request  of  General  M°Dougall  Presedent  of  that  Society. — 

"After  an  early  breakfast  George  Washington  Mr  Shaw  &  Myself  went 
into  the  Woods  back  of  Muddy  hole  Plantation  a  hunting  and  were  joined 
by  Mr  Lund  Washington  and  Mr  William  Peake. — About  half  after  ten 
Oclock  (being  first  plagued  with  the  Dogs  running  Hogs)  we  found  a  fox 
near  Col°  Masons  Plantation  on  little  Hunting  Creek  (West  fork)  having 
followed  on  his  Drag  more  than  half  a  Mile  ;  and  run  him  with  Eight  Dogs 
(the  other  4  getting,  as  was  supposed  after  a  Second  Fox)  close  and  well  for 
an  hour — When  the  Dogs  came  to  a  fault  and  to  cold  Hunting  until  20 
Minutes  after  12  When  being  joined  by  the  missing  Dogs  they  put  him  up  a 
fresh  and  in  about  50  Minutes  killed  up  in  an  open  field  of  Col°  Mason's — 
every  Kider  &  every  Dog  being  present  at  the  Death." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  17. 

At  Alexandria :  "  December  17. — Went  to  Alexandria  to 
meet  the  Trustees  of  the  Academy  in  that  place — and 
offered  to  vest  in  the  hands  of  the  said  Trustees,  when  they 
are  permanently  established  by  Charter,  the  Sum  of  One 
thousand  pounds,  the  Interest  of  which  only,  to  be  applied 
towards  the  establishment  of  a  charity  School  for  the  edu 
cation  of  Orphan  and  other  poor  Children — which  offer  was 
accepted — returned  again  in  the  Evening." — Washington's 
Diary. 

MONDAY,  DECEMBER  19. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  My  homage  is  due  to  his  Catholic 
Majesty  for  the  honor  of  his  present.  The  value  of  it  is 
intrinsically  great;  but  it  is  rendered  inestimable  by  the 
manner,  and  the  hand  it  is  derived  from.  Let  me  entreat 
you,  therefore,  Sir,  to  lay  before  the  King  my  thanks  for 
the  jackasses,  with  which  he  has  been  graciously  pleased  to 
compliment  me." — Washington  to  Count  de  Florida  Elanca, 
Spanish  Minister  of  State. 


48  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1785 

The  King  of  Spain,  hearing  that  General  Washington  was  endeavoring  to 
procure  in  Europe  asses  of  the  best  breed,  for  the  purpose  of  rearing  mules 
on  his  estates,  made  him  a  present  of  three,  a  jack  and  two  jennies,  and  sent 
over  with  them  a  person  who  was  acquainted  with  the  habits  of  these  animals 
and  the  mode  of  treating  them.  He  arrived  at  Mount  Vernon  early  in  De 
cember,  and  after  his  instructions  were  taken  down  in  writing  by  Washing 
ton,  left  on  the  20th.  The  jack,  called  the  Royal  Gift,  was  about  fifteen 
hands  high. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  22. — Went  a  Fox  hunting 
with  the  Gentlemen  who  came  here  yesterday  [Daniel 
Dulany,  Jr.,  Benjamin  Dulany,  Samuel  Hanson,  Thomas 
Hanson,  Philip  Alexander,  and  a  Mr.  Mounsher],  together 
with  Ferdinando  Washington*  and  Mr  Shaw,  after  a  very 
early  breakfast — found  a  Fox  just  back  of  Muddy  hole 
Plantation  and  after  a  Chase  of  an  hour  and  a  quarter  with 
my  Dogs,  &  eight  couple  of  Doctor  Smiths  (brought  by 
Mr  Phil  Alexander)  we  put  him  into  a  hollow  tree,  in  which 
we  fastned  him,  and  in  the  Pincushion  put  up  another  Fox 
which,  in  an  hour  &  13  Minutes  was  killed — We  then  after 
allowing  the  Fox  in  the  hole  half  an  hour  put  the  Dogs 
upon  his  Trail  &  in  half  a  Mile  he  took  to  another  hollow 
tree  and  was  again  put  out  of  it  but  he  did  not  go  600  yards 
before  he  had  recourse  to  the  same  shift — finding  therefore 
that  he  was  a  conquered  Fox  we  took  the  Dogs  off,  and 
came  home  to  Dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  Breakfast  was  served,  on  hunting  mornings,  at  candle-light,  the  general 
always  breaking  his  fast  with  an  Indian-corn  cake  and  a  bowl  of  milk  ;  and, 
ere  the  cock  had  'done  salutation  to  the  morn,'  the  whole  cavalcade  would 
often  have  left  the  house,  and  the  fox  be  frequently  unkennelled  before  sun 
rise.  Those  who  have  seen  Washington  on  horseback  will  admit  that  he  was 
one  of  the  most  accomplished  of  cavaliers  in  the  true  sense  and  perfection  of 
the  character.  He  rode,  as  he  did  everything  else,  with  ease,  elegance,  and 
with  power.  The  vicious  propensities  of  horses  were  of  no  moment  to  this 
skilful  and  daring  rider !  He  always  said  that  he  required  but  one  good 
quality  in  a  horse,  to  go  along,  and  ridiculed  the  idea  of  its  being  even  pos- 


*  A  nephew  of  General  Washington,  son  of  his  brother  Samuel. 


1785]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  49 

sible  that  he  should  be  unhorsed,  provided  the  animal  kept  on  his  legs. 
Indeed  the  perfect  and  sinewy  frame  of  the  admirable  man  gave  him  such  a 
surpassing  grip  with  his  knees,  that  a  horse  might  as  soon  disencumber 
itself  of  the  saddle  as  of  such  a  rider. 

"  The  general  usually  rode  in  the  chase  a  horse  called  Btueskin,  of  a  dark 
iron-gray  color,  approaching  to  blue.  This  was  a  fine  but  fiery  animal,  and 
of  great  endurance  in  a  long  run.  .  .  .  There  were  roads  cut  through  the 
woods  in  various  directions,  by  which  aged  and  timid  hunters  and  ladies 
could  enjoy  the  exhilarating  cry,  without  risk  of  life  or  limb  ;  but  "Washing 
ton  rode  gaily  up  to  his  dogs,  through  all  the  difficulties  and  dangers  of  the 
ground  on  which  he  hunted,  nor  spared  his  generous  steed,  as  the  distended 
nostrils  of  Blueskin  often  would  show.  He  was  always  in  at  the  death,  and 
yielded  to  no  man  the  honor  of  the  brush." — GEORGE  WASHINGTON  PARKE 
CUSTIS,  Recollections  of  Washington. 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  25. — Count  Castiglioni 
came  here  to  dinner.  December  29. — Count  Castiglioni 
went  away  after  breakfast,  on  his  tour  to  the  Southward." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  29. 

At  Mount  Yernon :  "  December  29. — I  went  [after  break 
fast]  to  my  Dogue  run  Plantation  to  measure,  with  a  view 
to  New  Model,  the  Fields  at  that  place — did  not  return 
until  dark  nor  finish  my  Surveys.  December  30. — Went  to 
Dogue  Run  again  to  compleat  my  Surveys  of  the  Fields 
which  I  did  about  2  o'clock." — Washington's  Diary. 


1786. 


MONDAY,  JANUARY  2. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  January  2. — Immediately  after  an 
early  breakfast  I  went  out  with  the  Hounds  but  returned  as 
soon  as  it  began  to  Rain,  without  touching  upon  the  drag 
of  a  fox." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  January  4. — After  breakfast  I  rid  by  the  places  where  my  Muddy  hole 
&  Ferry  people  were  clearing — thence  to  the  Mill  and  Dogue  Run  Planta 
tions — and  having  the  Hounds  with  me  in  passing  from  the  latter  towards 
Muddy  hole  Plantation  I  found  a  Fox  which  after  dragging  him  some  dis 
tance  and  running  him  hard  for  near  an  hour  was  killed  by  the  cross  road 
in  front  of  the  House.  January  10. — Kid  to  my  Plantation  in  the  Neck  and 
took  the  hounds  with  me — about  11  Oclock  found  a  fox  in  the  Pocoson*  at 
Sheridan's  point  and  after  running  it  very  indiiferently  and  treeing  it  once 
caught  it  about  one  Oclock.  January  14. — "Went  out  with  the  Hounds  & 
run  a  fox  from  11  oclock  untill  near  3  oclock  when  I  came  home  and  left 
the  Dogs  at  fault  after  which  they  recovered  the  Fox  &  its  supposed  killed 
it." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  JANUARY  21. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  January  21. — Rid  to  my  Planta 
tions  at  Muddy  hole  and  Dogue  run — from  thence  to  the 
Mill." —  Washington's  Diary, 

The  Mount  Vernon  estate  proper  comprised  nearly  forty-five  hundred 
acres  of  land.  For  the  purpose  of  systematic  arrangement  it  was  divided 
into  the  Mansion-House  Farm  and  four  plantations,  known  as  the  Union 
Farm,  the  Dogue  Run  Farm,  the  Muddy  Hole  Farm,  and  the  River  Farm, 
the  latter  of  which,  separated  from  the  others  by  Little  Hunting  Creek,  in 
cluded  several  plantations  in  what  was  known  as  the  Neck.  The  four 
plantations  contained  thirty-two  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  arable  land, 
and  the  Mansion-House  Farm  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  acres  with 

*  A  word  used  in  Virginia  and  other  Southern  States,  signifying  a  re 
claimed  marsh.     Both  Webster  and  Worcester  cite  Washington  as  authority. 
50 


1786]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  51 

large  bounds  of  woodland.  Each  one  of  the  plantations  had  its  own  over 
seer  and  its  independent  outfit  and  plant.  A  map  of  the  Washington 
farms  at  Mount  Vernon,  reduced  from  a  drawing  made  by  himself,  will  be 
found  in  volume  xii.  p.  816  of  Sparks's  "  Writings  of  George  Washing 
ton." 

Washington,  when  at  home,  visited  these  farms  almost  every  day,  mount 
ing  his  horse  after  breakfast  and  returning  shortly  before  three  o'clock, 
when  he  dressed  for  dinner.  The  tour  of  the  farms  might  average  ten  to 
fifteen  miles  per  day.  The  afternoon  was  usually  devoted  to  the  library 
and  the  evening  to  his  family  and  friends ;  at  nine  o'clock  he  retired  for  the 
night,  as  he  was  an  early  riser. 

SATURDAY,  JANUARY  28. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  January  28. — Went  out  after  break 
fast  with  my  hounds — found  a  Fox  on  the  Branch  within 
Mr  Thomson  Masons  Field  and  run  him  some  times  hard 
and  sometimes  at  cold  hunting  from  11  oclock  till  near  two 
when  I  came  home  and  left  the  huntsman  with  them  who 
followed  in  the  same  manner  two  hours  or  more  longer, 
and  then  took  the  Dogs  off  without  killing." — Washington's 
Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  1. 

At  Potomac  Falls :  "  February  1. — Not  being  able  to 
leave  here  yesterday  (as  I  intended)  for  the  appointed  meet 
ing  of  the  Directors  of  the  Potomack  Navigation  at  the 
Great  Falls  this  day,  I  set  out  this  Morning  at  the  first 
dawning  of  day  for  this  purpose,  and  after  as  disagreeable 
a  ride  as  I  ever  had  for  the  distance,  arrived,  at  the  Falls  at 
half  after  11  oclock  where  I  found  Col°  Gilpin  (who  had 
been  there  since  Sunday  Night)  levelling  &c — and  Col° 
Fitzgerald  who  got  there  just  before  me. 

"  Spent  the  remainder  of  this  day  in  viewing  the  different 
grounds  along  which  it  was  supposed  the  Canal  might  be 
carried  and  after  dining  at  the  Huts  went  in  the  evening 
accompanied  by  Col°  Fitzgerald  &  Mr  Potts  [clerk  to  the 
board  of  managers]  to  a  Mr  Wheelers  in  the  Neighbour 
hood  (ab*  1J  Miles  off)  to  lodge." —  Washington's  Diary. 


52  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1786 

"February  2. — Spent  this  day  in  examining  the  ground  more  attentively, 
and  levelling  the  different  ways  we  had  discovered  yesterday.  .  .  .  Dined 
again  at  the  Hutts.  .  .  .  After  7  Oclock  at  Night  Col°  Fitzgerald  Mr  Potts 
&  myself  left  the  Hutts,  &  came  to  Mr  William  Scotts  about  6  Miles  on 
this  side  of  the  Falls  where  we  lodged.  February  3. — After  an  early 
breakfast  we  left  Mr  Scotts  ;  and  about  noon  I  reached  home." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 


TUESDAY,  FEBKUARY  28. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon  :  "  February  28. — Set  out,  by  ap 
pointment,  to  attend  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of 
the  Potomack  Company  at  the  Great  Falls — Dined  and 
lodged  at  Abingdon,  to  which  place  Mra  Washington  and 
all  the  Children  accompanied  me." — Washington's  Diary. 


"March  1. — After  a  very  early  breakfast  at  Abingdon  I  set  off  for  the 
meeting  at  the  Great  Falls  &  passing  near  the  little  falls  arrived  at  the 
former  about  10  Oclock  ;  where  in  a  little  time,  assembled  Govr  Johnston 
Col°  Fitzgerald,  and  Col°  Gilpin.  Little  or  no  business  done  to  day.  .  .  . 
I  went  to  Mr  Fairfax's  (about  3  Miles  off)  where  I  lodged.  March  2. — 
Accompanied  by  Mr  Fairfax  I  repaired  again  to  the  Falls  where  we  arrived 
about  8  oclock  .  .  .  the  day  was  so  stormy,  that  we  could  neither  level,  nor 
Survey  the  different  tracks  talked  of  for  the  Canal.  .  .  .  Col°  Fitzgerald  & 
Mr  Potts  accompanied  Mr  Fairfax  &  myself  to  Towlston.  March  3. — The 
Snow  which  fell  yesterday  &  last  Night  covered  the  ground  at  least  a  foot 
deep ;  and  continuing  snowing  a  little  all  day,  &  blowing  hard  from  the  N° 
West,  we  were  obliged  tho'  we  assembled  at  ye  huts  again  to  relinquish  all 
hopes  of  levelling  &  Surveying  the  ground  this  trip.  ...  I  again  returned 
(first  dining  at  the  Hutts)  with  Col°  Fitzgerald  to  Towlston,  in  a  very 
severe  evening.  March  4. — After  breakfast  Col°  Fitzgerald  and  myself  set 
off  on  our  return  home  &  parted  at  4  Mile  run. — about  half  after  four  I  got 
to  Mount  Vernon,  where  M"  Washington,  Nelly  and  little  Washington 
had  just  arrived." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  March  5. — Mr  Richd  Bland  Lee 
came  here  to  dinner  and  stayed  all  Mght.  March  6. — Mr 
Lee  went  away  about  10  Oclock  and  Mr  Thornton  "Wash 
ington  [son  of  Samuel  Washington]  came  in  after  we  had 
dined  and  stayed  all  night." — Washington's  Diary. 


1786]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  53 

SUNDAY,  MAKCH  12. 

At  Mount  Yernon :  "  March  12. — About  dusk  Mr  Wil 
liam  Harrison  (a  delegate  to  Congress  from  the  State  of 
Maryland)  and  his  Son  came  in  on  their  way  to  New  York. 
March  13. — Mr  Harrison  and  son  went  away  after  break 
fast." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MAKCH  19. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  March  19. — A  Gentleman  calling 
himself  the  Count  de  Cheiza  D'arteignan  officer  of  the 
French  Guards  came  here  to  dinner ;  but  bringing  no  let 
ters  of  introduction,  nor  any  authentic  testimonials  of  his 
being  either ;  I  was  at  a  loss  how  to  receive  or  treat  him — 
he  stayed  dinner  and  the  evening." — Washington's  Diary. 

"March  21.^-The  Count  de  Cheiza  D'artingnon  (so  calling  himself)  was 
sent,  with  my  horses,  to  day,  at  his  own  request,  to  Alexand*. " — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  MAKCH  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "I  feel  very  sensibly  the  honor  con 
ferred  on  me  by  the  '  South  Carolina  Society  for  promoting 
and  improving  Agriculture  and  other  Rural  Concerns,'  by 
unanimously  electing  me  the  first  honorary  member  of  that 
body." — Washington  to  William  Dray  ton. 

In  communicating  to  General  Washington,  under  date  of  Charleston, 
November  23,  1785,  the  above  intelligence,  Mr.  Drayton  added,  "  This 
mark  of  their  respect,  the  Society  thought,  was  with  peculiar  propriety  due 
to  the  man,  who,  by  his  gallantry  and  conduct  as  a  soldier,  contributed  so 
eminently  to  stamp  a  value  on  the  labors  of  every  American  farmer ;  and 
who,  by  his  skill  and  industry  in  the  cultivation  of  his  fields,  has  likewise 
distinguished  himself  as  a  farmer." 

FRIDAY,  APRIL  7. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  April  7. — Mr  George  Washington 
went  to  Alexandria  and  engaged  100,000  Herrings  to 
Smith  &  Douglas  (if  caught)  at  5/  pr  thousand." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 


54  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1786 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  tbat  the  fisheries  at  Mount  Vernon  formed 
no  unimportant  part  of  the  domestic  economy  of  the  proprietor.  They  were 
quite  valuable  and  extensive,  and  Washington,  in  describing  his  estate  to 
Arthur  Young,  in  1793,  wrote,  "The  river  which  encompasses  the  land,  is 
well  supplied  with  various  kinds  of  fish  at  all  seasons  of  the  year ;  and,  in 
the  spring,  with  the  greatest  profusion  of  shad,  herring,  bass,  carp,  perch, 
sturgeon,  &c.  Several  valuable  fisheries  appertain  to  the  estate ;  the  whole 
shore,  in  short,  is  one  entire  fishery." 

TUESDAY,  APKIL  11. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "April  11. — Rid  to  the  Fishing 
Landing,  where  30  odd  Shad  had  just  been  caught  at  a 
haul, — not  more  than  2  or  3  had  been  taken  at  one  time 
before  this  Spring." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATUKDAY,  APKIL  15. 

At  Alexandria:  "April  15. — Rid  to  Alexandria  to  a 
Meeting  of  the  Directors  of  the  Potomack  Company,  who 
had  advertised  their  intention  of  Contracting  on  this  day 
with  whomsoever  should  bid  lowest  for  the  Supplying  the 
Company's  Servants  with  Rations  for  one  year.  .  .  .  Dined 
at  Mr  Lyle's  tavern  and  returned  in  the  Evening." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

"  April  17. — Went  up  to  Alexandria  to  an  election  of  Delegates  to  repre 
sent  this  County ;  when  the  suffrages  of  the  people  fell  upon  Col"  Mason  and 
Docf  Stuart.  .  .  .  Keturned  home  in  the  evening. ' ' —  Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  APEIL  20. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  April  20. — The  Shad  began  to  Run 
to  day,  having  caught  100,  200  &  300  at  a  draught"— 
Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  APRIL  23. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon  :  "  April  23. — Set  off  after  break 
fast,  on  a  journey  to  Richmond — to  acknowledge  in  the 
General  Court  some  Deeds  for  Land  sold  by  me  as  Attorney 
for  Col°  George  Mercer  which  it  seems,  could  not  be  exe 
cuted  without.  Dined  at  Dumfries  and  lodged  at  Stafford 
Court  House." — Washington's  Diary. 


1786]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  55 

"  April  24. — A  good  deal  of  Bain  having  fallen  in  the  Night  and  it  con 
tinuing  to  do  so  till  after  6  oclk  I  was  detained  till  near  seven — when  I  set 
out,  dined  at  my  Mothers  in  Fredericksburg  &  proceeded  afterwards  to,  and 
lodged  at  General  Spotswoods.  April  25. — Set  out  from  General  Spots- 
woods  about  Sun  Rising  and  breakfasted  at  the  Bowling  green.  .  .  .  Dined 
at  Rawlins  and  lodged  at  Hanover  Court  House.  April  26. — Left  Hanover 
Court  H°  about  Sun  Eise — breakfasted  at  Norvals  tavern — and  reached 
Richmond  about  Noon, — put  up  at  Formicalo's  Tavern,  where  by  invita 
tion,  I  dined  with  the  Judges  of  the  General  Court." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  APRIL  27. 

At  Richmond,  Virginia :  "  April  27. — Acknowledged  in 
the  General  Court  a  Deed  to  James  Mercer  Esqr  for  the 
Lotts  he  and  I  bought  at  the  Sale  of  his  deceased  Brother 
Col°  George  Mercer — and  received  a  reconveyance  from 
him  of  my  part  thereof. 

"Road  with  the  Lieu*  Govr  [Beverley]  Randolph,  the 
Attorney  General  and  Mr  George  Webb  to  view  the  cut 
which  had  commenced  between  Westham  and  Richmond 
for  the  improvement  of  the  Navigation  of  James  River.  .  .  . 
Dined  and  spent  the  evening  at  the  Attorneys — lodged 
again  at  Formicalo's." — Washington's  Diary. 

' '  April  28. — Left  Richmond  about  6  oclock — breakfasted  at  Norvals — 
Dined  at  Rawlins — and  lodged  at  the  Bowling.  April  29. — Set  out  from 
Bowling  green  a  little  after  Sun  rising — breakfasted  at  General  Spotswoods 
— Dined  at  my  Sister's  in  Fredericksburgh — and  spent  the  evening  at  Mr 
[William]  Fitzhughs  of  Chatham.  April  30. — Set  off'  about  Sun  rising 
from  Mr  Fitzhughs — breakfasted  at  Dumfries — and  reached  home  to  a  late 
Dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  4.* 

At  Abingdon :  "  May  4. — After  Dinner  I  set  out  for 
Abingdon  in  order  (to  morrow)  to  Survey  my  4  Miles  Run 
Tract ;  on  which  I  had  cause  to  apprehend  trespasses  had 
been  committed." —  Washington 's  Diary. 


*  "  May  4. — Sent  Majr  Washington  to  town  [Alexandria]  on  Business 
where  he  and  Mr  Lund  Washington  engaged  to  Mr  Watson  100  Barr'8  of 
my  Flour  to  be  delivered  next  week  at  32/9  pr  Barr1." — Washington's  Diary. 


56  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1786 

The  tract  on  Four  Mile  Kun,  which  empties  into  the  Potomac  Biver  three 
miles  above  Alexandria,  contained  about  twelve  hundred  acres.  Washing 
ton  made  several  surveys  of  this  land,  the  final  one  on  April  29  and  30, 
1799,  and  by  his  last  will  and  testament  devised  it  to  George  Washington 
Parke  Custis,  his  adopted  son. 

FKIDAY,  MAY  5. 

At  Four  Mile  Run  :  "  May  5. — Set  out  early  from  Abing- 
don,  and  beginning  at  the  upper  corner  of  my  Land  (on  4 
Miles  Run)  a  little  below  an  old  Mill;  I  ran  the  Tract 
agreeably  to  the  courses  &  distances  of  a  Plat  made  thereof 
by  John  Hough,  in  the  year  1766  (Novr)  in  presence  of 
Col°  Carlyle  &  Mr  James  Mercer. — Not  havg  Hough's  field 
Notes  &  no  Corner  trees  being  noted  in  His  Plat,  I  did  not 
attempt  to  look  for  lines ;  but  allowing  one  degree  for  the 
variation  of  Compass  since  the  Survey,  above  mentioned, 
was  made,  I  run  the  courses  and  distances  only.  .  .  .  Re 
turned  at  Night  to  Abingdon,  being  attended  in  the  labours 
of  the  day  by  Doctr  Stuart." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  6. — After  an  early  breakfast  I  set  out  on  my  Keturn  home  &  taking 
Muddy  hole  [plantation]  in  my  way,  returned  about  10  Oclock." — Wash 
ington1  s  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  10. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "A  measure  in  which  this  State 
[Virginia]  has  taken  the  lead  at  its  last  session,  will,  it  is 
to  be  hoped,  give  efficient  powers  to  that  body  [Congress] 
for  all  commercial  purposes.  This  is  a  nomination  of  some 
of  its  first  characters  to  meet  other  commissioners  from  the 
several  States,  in  order  to  consider  and  decide  upon  such 
powers  as  shall  be  necessary  for  the  sovereign  authority 
of  them  to  act  under." —  Washington  to  the  Marquis  de  La 
fayette. 

This  convention  met  at  Annapolis,  Maryland,  September  11,  1786,  to  take 
into  consideration  the  trade  and  commerce  of  the  United  States,  and  to 
provide  for  a  uniform  system  in  their  commercial  intercourse  and  regula 
tions.  Five  States  only — New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware, 
and  Virginia — were  represented,  and  when  the  commissioners  came  together 


1786]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  57 

they  found  themselves  invested  with  such  limited  powers  as  not  to  enable 
them  to  act  for  the  general  purposes  of  the  meeting.  They  did  little  else 
than  draw  up  a  report,  to  be  presented  to  the  several  States,  urging  the 
necessity  of  a  revision  of  the  confederated  system  of  government,  and  recom 
mending  a  convention  of  delegates  with  larger  powers  to  be  held  at  Philadel 
phia  on  the  second  Monday  of  May  following. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  18. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  That  it  is  necessary  to  revise  and 
amend  the  articles  of  confederation,  I  entertain  no  doubt; 
but  what  may  be  the  consequences  of  such  an  attempt  is 
doubtful.  Yet  something  must  be  done,  or  the  fabric  must 
fall,  for  it  is  certainly  tottering." —  Washington  to  John  Jay. 

The  letter  from  which  the  above  extract  is  made  was  in  answer  to  one 
from  Mr.  Jay,  dated  March  16,  in  which  he  said,  "  Experience  has  pointed 
out  errors  in  our  national  government  which  call  for  correction,  and  which 
threaten  to  blast  the  fruit  we  expected  from  our  tree  of  liberty.  The  con 
vention  proposed  by  Virginia  [for  commercial  purposes]  may  do  some  good, 
and  would  perhaps  do  more  if  it  comprehended  more  objects.  An  opinion 
begins  to  prevail  that  a  general  Convention  for  revising  the  articles  of  con 
federation  would  be  expedient.  Whether  the  people  are  yet  ripe  for  such  a 
measure,  or  whether  the  system  proposed  to  be  attained  by  it  is  only  to  be 
expected  from  calamity  and  commotion,  is  difficult  to  ascertain.  I  think 
we  are  in  a  delicate  situation,  and  a  variety  of  considerations  and  circum 
stances  give  me  uneasiness." 

MONDAY,  MAY  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  May  22. — Began  to  take  up  the 
pavement  of  the  Piaza.  May  23. — This  day  began  to  lay 
the  Flags  in  my  Piaza.  May  27. — Finished  laying  28 
courses  of  the  pavement  in  the  Piaza." —  Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  MAY  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  May  29. — About  9  Oclock  Mr  Tobias 
Lear,  who  had  been  previously  engaged  on  a  Salary  of  200 
dollars,  to  live  with  me  as  a  private  Secretary  &  precepter 
for  Washington  Custis  a  year  came  here  from  New  Hamp 
shire,  at  which  place  his  friends  reside." — Washington's 
Diary. 


58  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1786 

Tobias  Lear,  who  remained  with  Washington,  first  as  a  secretary  and 
afterward  as  superintendent  of  his  private  affairs,  until  the  close  of  his  first 
term  as  President,  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  September 
19,  1762,  and  died  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  October  11,  1816.  At  the  desire 
of  Washington  he  resumed  his  duties  as  secretary  in  the  summer  of  1798, 
and  was  present  at  his  death,  of  which  he  drew  up  a  circumstantial  account. 
(Sparks,  vol.  i.  p.  555.) 

Mr.  Lear,  whose  relations  with  Washington  were  of  the  most  confidential 
nature,  has  left  us  the  following  testimonial  to  his  private  character,  which, 
brief  as  it  is,  reveals  more  of  the  truth  and  consistency  of  his  manhood  than 
could  be  conveyed  by  the  most  labored  eulogy  :  "  General  Washington  is,  I 
believe,  almost  the  only  man  of  an  exalted  character  who  does  not  lose  some 
part  of  his  respectability  by  an  intimate  acquaintance.  I  have  never  found 
a  single  thing  that  could  lessen  my  respect  for  him.  A  complete  knowledge 
of  his  honesty,  uprightness,  and  candour  in  all  his  private  transactions,  has 
sometimes  led  me  to  think  him  more  than  a  man." 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  June  4. — Received  from  on  board 
the  Brig  Ann,  from  Ireland,  two  Servant  Men  for  whom  I 
had  agreed  yesterday — viz. — Thomas  Ryan  a  shoemaker, 
and  Caven  Bon — a  Taylor  Redemptioners  for  3  years  Ser 
vice  by  Indenture  if  they  could  not  pay,  each,  the  sum  of 
£12  Sterg  which  sums  I  agreed  to  pay." — Washington's 
Diary. 

The  demand  for  labor  of  a  better  character  than  that  obtained  from  negro 
slaves  gave  rise,  at  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  colonies,  to  the  cus 
tom  of  importing  white  men  for  a  specified  time  of  service.  These  covenant 
servants  were  regularly  indentured  under  a  voluntary  agreement,  and  upon 
their  arrival  in  this  country  were  disposed  of  on  terms  seldom  exceeding 
seven  years,  except  in  the  case  of  very  young  persons.  In  later  years  the 
price  paid  to  the  shipper  was  but  little  in  excess  of  the  passage-money  and 
expenses  attending  the  importation.  At  the  end  of  the  term  agreed  upon 
the  "  redemptioners,"  as  they  came  to  be  called,  merged  into  the  mass  of  the 
white  population  without  any  special  taint  of  servitude.  Many  of  them 
were  skilled  mechanics,  who  in  the  end  became  valuable  citizens. 

WEDNESDAY,  JUNE  14. 

At  Potomac  Falls  :  "  June  14. — After  an  early  breakfast 
in  Company  with  Col°  Serf,  I  set  out  for  our  Works  at  the 
great  falls ;  where  we  arrived  about  11  Oclock  and  after 


1786]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  59 

viewing  them  set  out  on  our  Return  &  reached  Col°  Gilpins 
where  we  lodged." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  June  15. — Took  Alexandria — My  Mill  dam  Meadow  at  Dogue  Eun  and 
the  Plantation  there — as  also  the  Ferry  Plantation  in  my  way  home." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

SATUKDAY,  JUNE  17. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  June  17. — Mr  Hough,  Butcher  in 
Alexandria,  came  here  this  afternoon  &  purchased  from  me 
three  fatted  Beeves  (2  in  the  Neck  &  1  at  Dogue  run)  for 
which  he  is  to  pay  next  week  £42 — also  the  picking  of  12 
Weathers  from  my  flock  at  34/  pr  head — if  upon  consulting 
my  Farmer  &  they  could  be  spared,  he  was  to  have  20." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  19. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  June  19. — A  Monsr  Andri  Michaux 
a  Botanest  sent  by  the  Court  of  France  to  America  (after 
having  been  only  6  Weeks  returned  from  India)  came  in  a 
little  before  dinner  with  letters  of  Introduction  &  recom 
mendation  from  the  Duke  de  Lauzen,  &  Marq"  de  la  Fay- 
ette  to  me — he  dined  and  returned  afterwards  to  Alexand1 
on  his  way  to  New  York,  from  whence  he  had  come ;  and 
where  he  was  about  to  establish  a  Botanical  garden." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

In  pursuance  of  his  commission  from  the  French  government,  Andre 
Michaux  established  nurseries  for  the  cultivation  of  trees  and  shrubs,  to  be 
naturalized  in  France,  at  Bergen  County,  New  Jersey,  and  near  Charleston, 
South  Carolina.  From  the  former  he  made  one  shipment,  but  the  Kevolu- 
tion  prevented  remittances,  and  the  work  was  discontinued.  He,  however, 
in  prosecution  of  his  studies,  travelled  extensively  in  America,  and  did  not 
return  to  his  native  land  until  1796. 

His  son,  Fran9ois  Andre,  also  a  distinguished  botanist,  was  sent  by  the 
French  government  in  1802  to  study  the  forests  of  America,  which  had 
been  explored  by  his  father.  This  resulted  in  the  production  of  his  work 
entitled  "  Histoire  des  Arbres  Forestiers  de  I'Amerique,"  fourvols.,  1810-13. 
which  laid  the  foundation  of  his  reputation  as  a  botanist.  He  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  April  21,  1809,  and  by 


60  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1786 

his  will  bequeathed  to  it  the  sum  of  ninety-two  thousand  francs,  invested  in 
French  three-per-cent.  rentes,  the  interest  of  which  is  used  by  the  Society 
for  the  advancement  of  botany. 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  No  person,  who  shall  come  with 
your  passport,  will  be  an  unwelcome  guest.  .  .  .  My  manner 
of  living  is  plain.  I  do  not  mean  to  be  put  out  of  it.  A 
glass  of  wine  and  a  bit  of  mutton  are  always  ready ;  and 
such  as  will  be  content  to  partake  of  them  are  always  wel 
come.  Those  who  expect  more  will  be  disappointed." — 
Washington  to  George  William  Fairfax. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  2. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon :  "  July  2. — About  Noon  I  set  out 
for  the  intended  meeting  (to  be  held  to  morrow)  at  the 
Seneca  falls — Dined  at  Col°  Gilpins  ;  where  meeting  with 
Col°  Fitzgerald  we  proceeded  all  three  of  us  to  Mr  Bryan 
Fairfax's  and  lodged." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  July  3. — After  a  very  early  breakfast  (about  Sun  rise)  we  left  Mr  Fair 
fax's  and  arriving  at  the  head  of  the  Seneca  falls  (where  a  Vessel  was  to 
have  met  us)  was  detained  till  near  ten  oclock  before  one  arrived  to  put  us 
over  to  our  place  of  rendezvous  at  Mr  Goldsboroughs.  July  4. — The  Direc 
tors  determined  to  prosecute  their  first  plan  for  openting  the  Navigation  of 
the  Kiver  in  the  bed  of  it.  ...  These  matters  being  settled  Col°  Gilpin  and 
myself  resolved  to  send  our  horses  to  the  Great  falls  and  go  by  water  to  that 
place  ourselves.  .  .  .  After  dining  with  Mr  Kumsey  at  the  Great  falls  Col° 
Gilpin  and  myself  set  out  in  order  to  reach  our  respective  homes,  but  a  gust 
of  wind  &  rain,  with  much  lightning,  compelled  me  to  take  shelter,  about 
dark  at  his  house,  where  I  was  detained  all  night.  July  5. — I  set  out  about 
sun  rising,  &  taking  my  harvest  fields  at  Muddy  hole  &  the  ferry  in  my 
way,  got  home  to  breakfast." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  JULY  24. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  July  24. — After  breakfast  I  accom 
panied  Col°  [Theodoric]  Bland  to  Mr  Lund  Washingtons ; 
where  he  entered  the  stage  on  his  return  home. — Rid  from 
hence  to  the  Plantations  at  Dogue  Run  &  Muddy  hole.  .  .  . 


1786]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  61 

On  my  return  home,  found  Col°  Humphreys  here." —  Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

Colonel  Humphreys  remained  at  Mount  Vernon  until  August  23.  He 
had  just  returned  from  France,  and,  according  to  Lossing,  brought  with 
him,  at  the  request  of  Louis  XVI.,  an  impression  of  the  king's  full- 
length  portrait,  engraved  by  Bervic  after  the  painting  by  Callet.  This  en 
graving,  which  was  elegantly  framed,  was  one  of  the  well-known  ornaments 
of  the  mansion  at  Mount  Vernon ;  but  as  it  was  not  executed  until  1790, 
the  statement  by  Lossing  is  incorrect.  It  must  have  been  presented  to 
Washington  after  that  date. 

MONDAY,  JULY  81. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  General  Greene  lately  died  at  Sa 
vannah  in  Georgia.  The  public  as  well  as  his  family  and 
friends,  has  met  with  a  severe  loss.  He  was  a  great  and 
good  man  indeed." — Washington  to  Count  de  Rochambeau. 

Nathanael  Greene,  of  whom  Alexander  Hamilton  said,  that  "his  quali 
fications  for  statesmanship  were  not  less  remarkable  than  his  military 
ability,  which  was  of  the  highest  order,"  died  on  the  19th  of  July,  1786,  at 
the  age  of  forty-four.  His  death,  caused  by  a  sunstroke,  occurred  at  "  Mul 
berry  Grove,"  on  the  Savannah  River,  an  estate  presented  to  him  by  the 
State  of  Georgia.  He  was  indeed  "  a  great  and  good  man." 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  do  not  conceive  we  can  exist  long 
as  a  nation  without  having  lodged  somewhere  a  power, 
which  will  pervade  the  whole  Union  in  as  energetic  a  man 
ner  as  the  authority  of  the  State  governments  extends  over 
the  several  States." — Washington  to  John  Jay. 

SATURDAY,  AUGUST  5. 

At  Alexandria :  "  August  5. — "Went  to  Alexandria  to  a 
meeting  of  the  Directors  of  the  Potomac  Comp7  in  order 
to  prepare  the  Acct8  and  a  report  for  the  Gen1  Meeting  of 
the  C°  on  Monday  next. — Neither  of  the  Maryland  Gentn 
attended — Dined  at  Wises  TavV — Washington's  Diary. 

'•'•August  1. —  Went  to  Alexandria  to  the  Gen1  Meeting  of  the  Potomack 
C° — Col°  Humphreys  accompanied  me — A  sufficient  number  of  shares  being 


62  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1786 

present  to  constitute  the  Meeting  the  Acet"  of  the  Directors  were  exhibited 
and  a  Gen1  Report  made — hut  for  want  of  the  Secretarys  Books  which  were 
locked  up,  and  he  absent  the  Orders  and  other  proceedings  referred  to  in 
that  Report  could  not  be  exhibited." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  AUGUST  19. 

At  Alexandria :  "  August  19. — After  breakfast  I  accom 
panied  Col8  Humphreys  by  water  to  Alexandria  and  dined 
with  him  at  Cap*  [Richard]  Conways  to  whom  he  had  been 
previously  engaged." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  August  29. — Taken  with  an  Ague 
about  7  oclock  this  morning  which  being  succeeded  by  a 
smart  fever  confined  me  to  the  House  till  evening — Had  a 
slight  fit  of  both  on  Sunday  last  but  was  not  confined  by 
them." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  August  31. — Siezed  with  an  ague  before  6  oclock  this  morning  after 
having  laboured  under  a  fever  all  night — Sent  for  Docf  Craik  who  arrived 
just  as  we  were  setting  down  to  dinner ;  who,  when  he  thought  my  fever 
sufficiently  abated  gave  me  a  cathartick  and  directed  the  Bark  to  be  applied 
in  the  Morning.  September  2. — Kept  close  to  the  House  to  day,  being  my 
fit  day  in  course  least  any  exposure  might  bring  it  on, — happily  missed  it. 
September  14. — At  home  all  day  repeating  dozes  of  Bark  of  which  I  took 
4  with  an  interval  of  2  hours  between." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  9. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  never  mean,  unless  some  particu 
lar  circumstances  should  compel  me  to  it,  to  possess  another 
slave  by  purchase,  it  being  among  my  first  wishes  to  see 
some  plan  adopted,  by  which  slavery  in  this  country  may 
be  abolished  by  law." —  Washington  to  John  F.  Mercer. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  1. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  1. — The  day  clear  and 
warm. — Took  an  early  Dinner  and  set  out  for  Abingdon  on 
my  way  to  the  Great  Falls  to  meet  the  Directors  of  the 
Potomack  C°." — Washington's  Diary. 


1786J  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  63 

"  October  2. — Set  out  [from  Abingdon]  before  Six  oclock,  &  arrived  at 
the  Great  Falls  ab*  half  after  nine. — found  Col°  Gilpin  there  &  soon  after 
Govri  Johnson  &  Lee,  and  Col°  Fitzgerald  &  Mr  Potts  arrived  when  the 
board  proceeded  to  enquire  into  the  charges  exhibited  by  Mr  James  Rumsey 
the  late  against  Mr  Richardson  Stuart  the  present  Manager  of  the  Com- 
panys  business — the  examination  of  the  Witnesses  employed  the  board  until 
dark  when  the  Members  dispersed  for  Lodgings — I  went  to  Mr  Fairfaxs. 
October  3. — Returned  to  the  Falls  by  appointment  at  7  oclock  to  Breakfast : 
we  proceeded  immediately  afterwards  to  a  consideration  of  the  evidence  .  .  . 
the  whole  appeared  (the  charges)  malignant,  envious  &  trifling. — After  this 
the  board  settled  many  accls  and  adjourned  till  8  oclock  next  Morning. 
October  4. — The  Board  having  agreed  to  a  Petition  to  be  offered  to  the  As 
semblies  of  Virga  and  Maryland  for  prolonging  the  time  allowed  by  Law 
for  improving  the  Navigation  of  the  River  above  the  Great  Falls,  broke  up 
about  three  oclock — When  in  company  of  Col03  Fitzgerald  &  Gilpin  &  Mr 
Potts  I  set  off  home. — With  much  difficulty  on  ace'  of  the  Rising  of  the 
Water  by  the  Rain  of  last  Night  we  crossed  Difficult  run  and  through  a 
constant  Rain  till  I  had  reached  Cameron*  I  got  home  a  little  before  8 
o'clock  where  I  found  my  Brother  Jn°  Auge  Washington." — Washington's 
Diary. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  9. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  9. — Allowed  all  my  People 
to  go  to  the  Races  in  Alexandria  on  one  of  three  days  as 
best  comported  with  their  respective  businesses — leaving 
careful  persons  on  the  Plantations." —  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  10. 

At  Alexandria :  "  October  10. — In  company  with  Major 
"Washington  and  Mr  Lear  went  up  to  Alexandria  to  see  the 
Jockey  Club  purse  run  for  (which  was  won  by  Mr  Snickers) 
dined  by  invitation  with  the  Members  of  it  and  returned 
home  in  the  evening." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  15. 

At  Pohick  Church  :  "  October  15. — Accompanied  by  Majr 
Washington  his  wife — Mr  Lear  &  the  two  child"  Kelly  & 

*  An  estate  situate  two  miles  south  of  the  old  road  from  Alexandria  to 
Mount  Vernon,  and  about  eight  miles  from  the  latter  place. 


64  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  [1786 

Washington  Custis — went  to  Pohick  Church  &  returned  to 
Dinner." —  Washington's  Diary. 

Pohick  Church  is  situated  on  Pohick  Creek,  about  five  miles  southwest 
of  Mount  Vernon.  The  first  building  (of  frame)  was  erected  on  the  south 
side  of  the  creek  in  1732.  The  present  structure  (of  brick)  was  put  up  in 
1772,  on  the  north  side,  two  miles  farther  up  the  stream,  for  which  Wash 
ington  drew  the  plans,  and  also  served  on  the  building  committee.  He  was 
chosen  a  vestryman  in  1765,  and  was  kept  in  that  ofiice  for  several  years. 
His  pew  was  No.  28,  north  side,  next  to  the  communion  table ;  it  was 
marked  with  his  initials. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  22.— The  Honble  Wm  Dray- 
ton  and  Mr  Walter  Izard  came  here  to  dinner  and  stayed 
all  Mght." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBEK  23. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  23. — I  remained  at  home 
all  day  in  the  evening  Col°  Monroe  &  his  Lady  and  Mr 
Maddison  came  in." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  23. — Mr.  Drayton,  Mr.  Izard  here  all  day.  After  dinner  Gen 
eral  Washington  was,  in  the  course  of  conversation,  led  to  speak  of  Arnold's 
treachery,  when  he  gave  an  account  of  it."  * — Diary  of  Tobias  Lear. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  24. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  24. — Mr  Drayton  and  Mr 
Izard  set  out  after  breakfast  on  their  Rout  to  South  Caro 
lina.  October  25. — Mr  Maddison  and  Col°  Monroe  and  his 
Lady  set  out  after  breakfast  for  Fredericksburg." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  29. 

At  Charles  County,  Maryland :  "  October  29. — I  crossed 
the  River  with  intention  to  view  &  survey  my  land  [600 
acres]  in  Charles  County  Maryland — Went  to  and  lodged 


*  For  this  interesting  statement  see  "  Washington  in  Domestic  Life,"  by 
Richard  Rush,  Philadelphia,  1857. 


1786]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  65 

at  Govr  [William]  Small-woods  about  14  Miles  from  the 
Ferry." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  30. — About  One  oclock, — accompanied  by  the  Governor,  I  set 
out  to  take  a  view  of  my  land  which  lay  12  Miles  from  his  House. — After 
doing  which  and  finding  it  rather  better  than  I  expected  we  returned  to  the 
Govern"  having  from  the  badness  of  the  Weather  &  wetness  of  the  ground 
given  over  the  idea  of  surveying.  October  31. — After  breakfast  I  left  Govr 
Smallwoods  &  got  home  to  dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBEK  31. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  You  talk,  my  good  Sir,  of  employ 
ing  influence  to  appease  the  present  tumults  in  Massachu 
setts.  I  know  not  where  that  influence  is  to  be  found,  or, 
if  attainable,  that  it  would  be  a  proper  remedy  for  the  dis 
orders.  Influence  is  not  government.  Let  us  have  a  govern 
ment  by  which  our  lives,  liberties,  and  properties  will  be 
secured,  or  let  us  know  the  worst  at  once." —  Washington  to 
Henry  Lee. 

The  popular  movement  in  Western  Massachusetts  in  opposition  to  the 
constituted  authorities,  referred  to  in  the  above  letter,  was  of  a  most  singular 
character.  It  began  as  early  as  1782,  and  increased  as  popular  discontent, 
incident  on  the  unsettled  condition  of  affairs  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution, 
became  greater.  Conventions  were  held  and  lists  of  grievances  drawn  up, 
the  complaints  being  of  the  most  irrational  nature.  The  uprising  known  in 
history  as  the  "Shays  Kebellion,"  taking  its  name  from  Daniel  Shays,  one 
of  the  principal  leaders,  finally  culminated  in  an  attempt  (January,  1787)  to 
capture  the  arsenal  at  Springfield  by  a  body  of  eleven  hundred  men  under 
Shays,  which  was  dispersed  by  a  force  of  four  thousand  militia  commanded 
by  General  Lincoln.  Shays,  after  living  in  Vermont  about  a  year,  was  par 
doned  and  removed  to  Sparta,  New  York,  where  he  died  September  29,  1825. 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  6. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  6. — On  my  return  home 
[from  riding  to  the  plantations],  found  Col°  Lewis  Morris, 
and  his  Brother  Major  Jacob  Morris  here,  who  dined  and 
returned  to  Alexandria  afterwards  where  Mrs  Lewis  Morris 
&  her  Mother  Mrs  Elliot  were  on  their  way  to  Charleston." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

5 


66  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1786 

"  November  10. — With  M"  "Washington  and  all  the  family,  I  went  to 
Alexandria  and  dined  with  Doctr  Craik — returned  in  the  Evening." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  16. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  16. — On  my  Return  home 
[from  riding  to  the  plantations],  found  Mons  Campoint 
sent  by  the  Marq"  de  La  Fayette  with  the  Jack  and  two 
she  Asses  which  he  had  procured  for  me  in  the  Island  of 
Malta  and  which  had  arrived  at  Baltimore  with  the  Chinese 
Pheasants  &c  had  with  my  Overseer  &c  got  there  before  me 
— these  Asses  are  in  good  order  and  appear  to  be  very  fine 
— The  Jack  is  two  years  old  and  the  She  Asses  one  three  & 
the  other  two." —  Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  27. — The  Revd  Mr  Keith, 
and  the  Revd  Mr  Morse  dined  here  &  returned  to  Alexandria 
in  the  Evening." —  Washington's  Diary. 

Jedidiah  Morse,  D.D. ,  whose  visit  to  Mount  Vernon  is  recorded  in  the 
Diary,  was  the  author  of  the  first  American  geography,  published  at  New 
Haven,  Connecticut,  1784.  From  a  sketch  of  Washington,  written  by  Dr. 
Morse  for  an  edition  of  the  geography  issued  at  Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey, 
1789,  we  transcribe  his  description  of  the  personal  habits  and  daily  life  of  the 
Farmer  of  Mount  Vernon  : 

"  He  rises,  in  winter  as  well  as  summer,  at  the  dawn  of  day  ;  and  generally 
reads  or  writes  some  time  before  breakfast.  He  breakfasts  about  seven 
O'clock,  on  three  small  indian  hoe-cakes  and  as  many  dishes  of  tea.  He 
rides  immediately  to  his  different  farms,  and  remains  with  his  labourers  until 
a  little  past  two  o'clock,  when  he  returns  and  dresses.  At  three  he  dines, 
commonly  on  a  single  dish,  and  drinks  from  half  a  pint  to  a  pint  of  Madeira 
wine.  This,  with  one  small  glass  of  punch,  a  draught  of  beer,  and  two 
dishes  of  tea  (which  he  takes  half  an  hour  before  sun-setting)  constitutes  his 
whole  sustenance  until  the  next  day.  Whether  there  be  company  or  not, 
the  table  is  always  prepared  by  its  elegance  and  exuberance  for  their  recep 
tion  ;  and  the  General  remains  at  it  for  an  hour  after  dinner,  in  familiar  con 
versation  and  convivial  hilarity.  It  is  then  that  every  one  present  is  called 
upon  to  give  some  absent  friend  as  a  toast ;  the  name  not  unfrequently 
awakens  a  pleasant  remembrance  of  past  events,  and  gives  a  new  turn  to  the 
animated  colloquy.  General  Washington  is  more  chearful  than  he  was  in 
the  army.  Although  his  temper  is  rather  of  a  serious  cast  and  his  counte- 


1786]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  67 

nance  commonly  carries  the  impression  of  thoughtfulness,  yet  he  perfectly 
relishes  a  pleasant  story,  an  unaffected  sally  of  wit,  or  a  burlesque  descrip 
tion  which  surprises  by  its  suddenness  and  incongruity  with  the  ordinary 
appearance  of  the  object  described.  After  this  sociable  and  innocent  relaxa 
tion,  he  applies  himself  to  business ;  and  about  nine  o'clock  retires  to  rest. 
This  is  the  rotine,  and  this  the  hour  he  observes,  when  no  one  but  his  family 
is  present ;  at  other  times  he  attends  politely  upon  his  company  until  they 
wish  to  withdraw." 

THTJKSDAY,  NOVEMBEE  30. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  November  30. — Surveying  my  new 
purchase  of  Manley's  and  Frenchs  Land,  in  order  to  lay  the 
whole  of  into  proper  inclosures." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"December  1. — Employed  as  yesterday,  Running  round  the  Lands  of 
Manley  and  French.  December  2. — Finished  running  round  the  Fields  of 
Manleys  and  French's  and  rid  afterwards  to  Dogue  run  and  Muddy  hole 
plantations. ' ' —  Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  DECEMBER  11. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  December  11. — In  the  Afternoon  a 
Mr  Anstey  (Commissioner  from  England  for  ascertaining 
the  claims  of  the  Refugees)  with  a  Mr  Woodorf  (supposed 
to  be  his  Secretary)  came  in  and  stayed  all  Night." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  30. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  30. — Staked  out  the  fields 
at  the  Perry  Plantation  to-day,  according  to  the  late  modi 
fication  of  them — visited  the  Ditchers  and  rid  to  Dogue 
run." — Washington's  Diary. 


I787. 


WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  3. 

At  Alexandria :  "  January  3. — Rid  to  Alexandria  to  a 
meeting  of  the  board  of  Directors  of  the  Potomack  C° — 
Did  the  business  which  occasioned  the  Meeting  dined  at 
Lomax's  &  returned  home  in  the  evening." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  10. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  January  10. — I  recd  by  express  the 
ace*  of  the  sudden  death  (by  a  fit  of  the  Gout  in  the  head) 
of  my  beloved  Brother  Col°  Jn°  Auge  Washington."  * — 
Washington's  Diary. 

Augustine  Washington,  of  Pope's  Creek,  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia, 
the  father  of  General  Washington,  had  ten  children:  Butler,  Lawrence, 
Augustine,  and  Jane  by  his  first  wife,  Jane  Butler ;  GEORGE,  Betty,  Samuel, 
John  Augustine,  Charles,  and  Mildred  by  his  second  wife,  Mary  Ball,  to 
whom  he  was  married  on  the  6th  of  March,  1731. f  Augustine  Washington 
died  April  12,  1743,  aged  forty-nine  years,  at  an  estate  in  King  George,  now 
Stafford,  County,  on  the  Rappahannock  River,  nearly  opposite  to  Fredericks- 
burg,  to  which  he  had  removed  in  1739,  seven  years  after  the  birth  of  his  son 
GEORGE. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  January  25. — On  my  return  home 
[from  a  ride  to  the  plantations]  found  Mr  Madison  here — 
and  after  Dinner  Mr  Griffith  came  in — both  of  whom  stayed 
all  night." —  Washington's  Diary. 

*  John  Augustine  Washington  died  at  his  estate  on  the  Nominy  River, 
Westmoreland  County,  Virginia. 

f  Three  of  the  children  died  young, — Butler  and  Mildred  in  infancy,  and 
Jane  at  the  age  of  thirteen. 
68 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  69 

"January  23. — Mr  Madison  &  Mr  Griffith  going  away  after  breakfast, 
(the  former  to  attend  Congress)  I  rid  as  yesterday  to  all  ye  Plant08." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  FEBEUAKY  6. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  February  6. — About  Sundown  Mess™ 
Bushrod  &  Corben  Washington  [sons  of  John  Augustine 
Washington]  came  in  on  their  return  from  Berkeley 
County." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  February  1. — Continued  at  home.  February  8. — At  home  all  day.  Feb 
ruary  9. — Mr  Bushrod  Washington*  and  his  Brother  Corbin  went  away 
after  breakfast." — Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBEUAKY  14. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  February  14. — Rid  immediately, 
after  breakfast  to  French's  Plantation  to  see  a  sick  man — 
and  intended  to  have  gone  to  others  but  was  driven  back 
by  the  Rain." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SATUEDAY,  FEBEUAEY  17. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  February  17. — Went  into  the  Neck 
to  Mark  some  lines  for  fences.  .  .  .  Received  before  I  had 
done  a  message  acquainting  me  that  Col°  [Jeremiah]  Wads- 
worth  and  a  Mr  Chaloner  were  here  which  brought  me 
home." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  FEBEUAEY  20. 

At  Alexandria :  "  February  20. — Went  with  Mw  Washing 
ton  to  Mr  Fendalls  to  make  a  visit  to  Col°  and  MM  [Henry] 
Lee. — dined  and  returned  home  in  the  Evening." —  Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

THUESDAY,  FEBEUAEY  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  February  22. — Rid  to  Muddy  hole 
Dogue  run  &  Frenchs  Plantation.  ...  On  my  return  home 

*  The  favorite  nephew  of  General  Washington,  and  devisee  under  his  will 
of  the  Mount  Vernon  estate. 


70  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1787 

found  Mr  Bryan  Fairfax,  his  wife  &  daughter   here." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  February  23. — At  home  all  day.  In  the  Evening  Mr  Griffith  came  in 
and  stayed  all  Night.  February  24. — After  breakfast  Mr.  Fairfax,  his  wife 
&  daughter — and  Mr  Griffith  went  away." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATUEDAY,  MAKCH  3. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  March  3. — The  Revd  Mr  Weems, 
and  ye  Doctr  Craik  who  came  here  yesterday  in  the  after 
noon  left  this  about  Noon  for  Port  Tob°  [Port  Tobacco, 
Maryland]." —  Washington's  Diary. 

The  visitor  at  Mount  Vernon,  Mason  Locke  Weems,  was  the  author  of 
that  curious  compound  of  fact  and  fancy,  religion  and  morality,  which  was 
published  at  George-Town  in  1800,  with  the  title,  "  A  History  of  the  Life 
and  Death,  Virtues  and  Exploits,  of  General  George  "Washington  ;  dedicated 
to  Mrs.  Washington ;  and  containing  a  great  many  curious  and  valuable 
Anecdotes,  tending  to  throw  much  light  on  the  private  as  well  as  public  life 
and  character  of  that  very  Extraordinary  Man  ;  the  whole  happily  calculated 
to  furnish  a  feast  of  true  Washingtonian  Entertainment  and  Improvement, 
both  to  ourselves  and  our  children."  The  original  production,  after  going 
through  several  editions,  was  almost  entirely  rewritten,  and  issued  at  Phila 
delphia  in  1808  as  the  sixth  edition,  with  the  title,  "  The  Life  of  George 
Washington  ;  with  curious  Anecdotes,  equally  honorable  to  Himself,  and 
exemplary  to  his  young  Countrymen."  This  is  the  book  in  which  the 
hatchet  story,  the  cabbage-seed  story,  etc.,  first  appeared,  and  which,  notwith 
standing  its  fabrications  and  fanciful  anecdotes,  has  been  more  widely  known 
and  read  than  all  the  other  biographies  and  sketches  of  Washington.  Since 
that  date  (1808)  more  than  fifty  editions  have  been  issued,  the  last  bearing 
date  1892.  In  several  years  two  editions  were  printed,  and  in  1816  three 
appeared,  the  fifteenth,  sixteenth,  and  seventeenth. 

THUKSDAY,  MARCH  15. 

At  Mount  Yernon :  "  March  15. — Went  out  with  my 
Compass  in  order  to  Mark  the  ground  at  Muddy  hole  in 
tended  for  experiments,  into  half  acre  lotts,  and  two  other 
pieces  adjoining — all  in  field  1ST0  2 — into  10  acre  lotts — Also 
to  mark  the  lines  which  divide  field  N0 1  from  1ST0  2  &  3 — 
and  the  fields  6  &  7  at  Dogue  Run." — Washington's  Diary. 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  71 

SUNDAY,  MAKCH  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  Most  of  the  legislatures  have  ap 
pointed,  and  the  rest  it  is  said  will  appoint,  delegates  to 
meet  at  Philadelphia  on  the  second  Monday  in  May  next  in 
a  general  convention  of  the  States,  to  revise  and  correct  the 
defects  of  the  federal  system.  Congress  have  also  recog 
nised  and  recommended  the  measure." —  Washington  to  the 
Marquis  de  Lafayette. 

On  February  21,  Congress  in  session  passed  the  following  resolution: 
"  That  in  the  opinion  of  Congress  it  is  expedient,  that,  on  the  second  Mon 
day  in  May  next,  a  convention  of  delegates,  who  shall  have  been  appointed 
by  the  several  States,  be  held  at  Philadelphia,  for  the  sole  and  express  pur 
pose  of  revising  the  Articles  of  Confederation,  and  reporting  to  Congress  and 
the  several  legislatures  such  alterations  and  provisions  therein,  as  shall,  when 
agreed  to  in  Congress  and  confirmed  by  the  States,  render  the  federal  con 
stitution  adequate  to  the  exigencies  of  government  and  the  preservation  of 
the  Union." 

Early  in  December,  1786,  the  General  Assembly  of  Virginia  appointed 
"Washington  one  of  the  delegates  from  that  State  to  attend  a  proposed  gen 
eral  convention  of  all  the  States,  to  be  held  at  Philadelphia,  which  was 
subsequently  recommended  by  Congress  in  the  foregoing  resolution.  Wash 
ington  at  first  declined  the  appointment,  but  at  the  urgent  solicitation  of  the 
Governor  of  the  State  (Edmund  Randolph)  and  others,*  finally  consented  to 


MONDAY,  APRIL  16. 

At  Alexandria  :  "  April  16. — Went  up  to  Alexandria  to 
the  Election  of  Delegates  to  Represent  the  Country  in 
General  Assembly — when  Col°  Mason  and  Doctr  Stuart 
were  chosen. — Returned  in  the  Evening,  accompanied  by 


*  In  this  connection  a  letter  from  General  Knox  to  Washington,  dated 
March  19,  1787,  will  be  noticed  in  Sparks,  vol.  ix.  p.  238,  in  which,  after 
saying  that  he  took  it  for  granted  that  Washington  would  be  constrained  to 
accept  the  position  of  presiding  ofiicer  of  the  convention,  the  general  writes, 
"  I  am  persuaded,  that  your  name  has  had  already  great  influence  to  induce 
the  States  to  come  into  the  measure,  that  your  attendance  will  be  grateful, 
that  your  presence  would  confer  on  the  assembly  a  national  complexion,  and 
that  it  would  more  than  any  other  circumstance  induce  a  compliance  with 
the  propositions  of  the  convention." 


72  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1787 

Col°  Mason — his  two  Sons  William  and  George  &  his  Son- 
in-Law  Col°  Cooke." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  APRIL  26. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  April  26. — Receiving  an  Express 
between  4  &  5  oclock  this  afternoon  informing  me  of  the 
extreme  illness  of  my  Mother  and  Sister  Lewis  I  resolved 
to  set  out  for  Fredericksburgh  by  daylight  in  the  Morning — 
and  spent  the  evening  in  writing  some  letters  on  business 
respecting  the  Meeting  of  the  Cincinnati  to  the  Secretary 
General  of  the  Society  Gen1  Knox." — Washington's  Diary. 

"April  26. — Though  so  much  afflicted  with  a  rheumatic  complaint  (of 
which  I  have  not  been  entirely  free  for  six  months)  as  to  he  under  the 
necessity  of  carrying  my  arm  in  a  sling  for  the  last  ten  days,  I  had  fixed  on 
Monday  next  for  my  departure  [for  Philadelphia],  and  had  made  every 
necessary  arrangement  for  the  purpose,  when  (within  this  hour)  I  am  called 
by  an  express,  who  assures  me  not  a  moment  is  to  be  lost  to  see  a  mother  and 
only  sister  (who  are  supposed  to  be  in  the  agonies  of  death)  expire ;  and  I 
am  hastening  to  obey  this  melancholy  call,  after  having  just  buried  a 
brother  who  was  the  intimate  companion  of  my  youth,  and  the  friend  of  my 
ripened  age. ' ' —  Washington  to  General  Knox. 

FRIDAY,  APKIL  27. 

At  Fredericksburg :  "  April  27. — About  sun  rise  I  com 
menced  my  journey  as  intended — Bated  at  Dumfries,  and 
reached  Fredericksburgh  before  two  o'clock  and  found  both 
my  Mother  &  Sister  better  than  I  expected — the  latter  out 
of  danger  as  is  supposed,  but  the  extreme  low  state  in  woh 
the  former  was,  left  little  hope  of  her  recovery  as  she  was 
exceedingly  reduced  and  much  debilitated  by  age  and  the 
disorder — Dined  and  lodged  at  my  Sisters." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"April  28. — Dined  at  M"  Lewis's  and  Drank  Tea  at  Judge  Mercers; — 
Gen1  [George]  Weedon,  Col°  Chs  Carter,  Judge  Mercer,  and  Mr  Jn°  Lewis 
and  his  wife  dined  with  me  at  my  sisters.  April  29. — Dined  at  Col°  Charles 
Carters — and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  John  Lewis's.  April  30. — Set  out  about  Sun 
rise  on  my  return  home. — halted  at  Dumfries  for  about  an  hour  where  I 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  73 

breakfasted — reached  home  about  6  oclock  in  a  sm1  shower,  which  did  not 
continue  (and  that  not  hard)  for  more  than  15  Minutes." — Washington's 
Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  MAY  3. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  May  3. — Rid  to  the  Fishing  landing 
— and  thence  to  the  Ferry,  Frenchs,  Dogue  Run,  and  Muddy 
hole  Plantations  with  my  Nephew  G-.  "W.  [George  Augustine 
Washington]  to  explain  to  him  the  Nature,  and  the  ordr 
of  the  business  at  each  as  I  would  have  it  carried  on  during 
my  absence  at  the  Convention  in  Philadelphia." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  MAY  7. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  May  7. — At  home  preparing  for  my 
journey  to  Philadelphia." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  8. — The  weather  being  squally  with  Showers  I  defer"1  setting  off 
till  the  Morning — Mr  Cha"  Lee  came  in  to  dinner  but  left  afterwards. " — 
Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  9. 

Leaves  Mount  Yernon  :  "  May  9. — Crossed  from  M*  Ver 
non  to  Mr  Digges  a  little  after  Sun  rise  &  pursuing  the  Rout 
by  the  way  of  Baltimore — dined  at  Mr  Richd  Hendersons 
in  Bladensb8  and  lodged  at  Majr  Snowdens  where  feeling 
very  severely  a  violent  hd  ach  &  sick  stomach  I  went  to  bed 
early." — Washington's  Diary. 

"May  10. — Very  great  appearances  of  Kain  in  the  morning,  &  a  little 
falling,  induced  me,  tho'  well  recovered  to  wait  till  abl  8  oclock  before  I  set 
off— At  one  Oclock  I  arrived  at  Baltimore — Dined  at  the  Fountain  [Inn], 
&  Supped  &  lodged  at  Docf  [James]  M'Henrys — Slow  Kain  in  the  Even 
ing.  May  11. — Set  off  before  breakfast — rid  12  Miles  to  Skerretts  for  it — 
baited  there  and  proceeded  without  halting  (weather  threatning)  to  the 
Ferry  at  Havre  de  gras  where  I  dined  but  could  not  cross  the  wind  being 
turbulent  &  squally — lodged  here.  May  12. — With  difficulty  (on  ace*  of 
the  Wind)  crossed  the  Susquehanna — Breakfasted  at  the  Ferry  house  on  the 
East  side — Dined  at  the  head  of  Elk  (Hollingsworths  Tavern) — and  lodged 
at  Wilmington  at  O'Flins  [Tavern] — at  the  head  of  Elk  I  was  overtaken  by 
Mr  Francis  Corbin  who  took  a  seat  in  my  Carriage." —  Washington's  Diary. 


74  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1787 

SUNDAY,  MAY  13. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  May  13.— About  8  Oclock  Mr  Corbin 
and  myself  set  out,  and  dined  at  Chester  (Mrs  Withys)  where 
I  was  met  by  the  Genls  Mifflin  (now  Speaker  of  the  Penn 
sylvania  Assembly)  Knox  and  Varnum — The  Colonels 
Humphreys  and  Minges  [Francis  Mentges] — and  Majors 
[William]  Jackson  and  [Francis]  Nicholas — With  whom  I 
proceeded  to  Philada — at  Grays  Ferry  the  City  light  horse 
commanded  by  Col°  [Samuel]  Miles  met  me  and  escorted 
me  in  by  the  Artillery  Officers  who  stood  arranged  &  saluted 
as  I  passed — alighted  through  a  crowd  at  Mra  Houses  * — but 
being  again  warmly  and  kindly  pressed  by  Mr  &  Mrs  Rob* 
Morris  to  lodge  with  them  I  did  so  and  had  my  baggage 
removed  thither  f — Waited  on  the  President  [of  the  State] 
Doctr  Franklin  as  soon  as  I  got  to  Town — On  my  arrival, 
the  Bells  were  chimed." — Washington's  Diary. 

"Philadelphia,  May  14. — Yesterday  His  Excellency  General  WASHING 
TON,  a  member  of  the  grand  convention,  arrived  here, — He  was  met  at 
some  distance  and  escorted  into  the  city  by  the  troop  of  horse,  and  saluted 
at  his  entrance  by  the  artillery.  The  joy  of  the  people  on  the  coming  of 
this  great  and  good  man  was  shewn  by  their  acclamations  and  the  ringing 
of  bells." — Pennsylvania  Packet. 

MONDAY,  MAY  14. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  May  14. — This  being  the  day  ap 
pointed  for  the  Convention  to  meet,  such  Members  as  were 
in  town  assembled  at  the  State  H°  J  but  only  two  States  being 
represented — viz — Virginia  &  Pennsylvania — agreed  to  at 
tend  at  the  same  place  at  11  Oclock  to  morrow.  Dined  in 
a  family  way  at  Mr  Morris's." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  15. — Kepaired,  at  the  hour  appointed  to  the  State  H°,  but  no  more 
States  being  represented  than  were  yesterday  (tho'  several  more  members 


*  Mrs.  Mary  House  kept  a  boarding-house  at  the  corner  of  Fifth  and 
Market  Streets. 

f  Kobert  Morris  resided  on  the  south  side  of  Market  Street,  below  Sixth. 

\  The  sessions  of  the  Convention  were  held  in  the  eastern  room  on  the  first 
floor,  "Independence  Chamber." 


1787]          WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  75 

had  come  in)  we  agreed  to  meet  again  to  morrow.  Govr  Randolph  from 
Virginia  came  in  to  day.  Dined  with  the  Members,  to  the  Gen1  Meeting  of 
the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati.  May  16. — No  more  than  two  States  being  yet 
represented,  agreed  till  a  quoram  of  them  should  be  formed  to  alter  the  hour 
of  Meeting  at  the  State  house  to  one  Oclock.  Dined  at  the  President  Doctr 
Franklins — and  drank  Tea,  and  spent  the  evening  at  Mr  Jn°  Penns.  May 
17. — Mr  [John]  Rutledge  from  Charleston  and  Mr  Ch.  Pinkney  from  Con 
gress  having  arrived  gave  a  Representation  to  S°  Carolina — and  Col°  Mason 
getting  in  this  Evening  placed  all  the  Delegates  from  Virginia  on  the  floor 
of  Convention.  Dined  at  Mr  Powells  *  and  dr*  Tea  there.  May  18.— The 
Representation  from  New  York  appeared  on  the  floor  to  day.  Dined  at 
Greys  ferry,  and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Morris's — after  which  accompanied  Mrs 
and  some  other  Ladies  to  hear  a  Mrs  O'Connell  read  (a  charity  aft'air)  the 
lady  being  reduced  in  circumstances  had  had  recourse  to  this  expedient  to 
obtain  a  little  money — her  perform6  was  tolerable — at  the  College  Hall 
[Fourth,  below  Arch  Street].  May  19. — No  more  States  represented — 
Dined  at  Mr  [Jared]  Ingersolls — spent  the  evening  at  my  lodgings  &  Re 
tired  to  my  Room  soon." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MAY  20. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  May  20.— Dined  with  Mr  &  M™  Mor 
ris  and  other  Company  at  their  farm  (called  the  Hills  f) — 
Returned  in  the  afternoon  &  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Powells." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  21. — Delaware  State  was  represented.  Dined  and  drank  Tea  at 
Mr  Binghams  J  in  great  splendor.  May  22. — The  Representation  from  N° 


*  Samuel  Powel,  mayor  of  Philadelphia  in  1775  and  1789,  lived  at  No. 
112  Third  Street,  between  Walnut  and  Spruce.  The  house,  which  is  still 
standing,  is  now  known  as  No.  244  South  Third  Street.  Mr.  Powel  married 
Elizabeth  Willing,  sister  of  Thomas  Willing,  the  well-known  merchant. 
Washington  was  a  frequent  visitor  at  this  house  during  his  stay  in  the  city. 

•(•  "The  Hills,  '  which  originally  comprised  eighty  acres,  lay  upon  the 
east  bank  of  the  Schuylkill  River,  north  of  Fairmount  Hill,  and  extended  to 
the  Ridge  Road.  That  portion  of  the  land  upon  which  the  mansion-house 
stood,  known  in  later  years  as  Lemon  Hill,  is  included  in  Fairmount  Park. 

J  William  Bingham,  member  of  Congress  from  Pennsylvania,  1787-88, 
and  United  States  Senator,  1795-1801,  married  Anna,  daughter  of  Thomas 
Willing,  October  26,  1780.  Mrs.  Bingham  was  distinguished  for  her  beauty, 
elegance  of  manner,  and  profuse  hospitality.  The  Bingham  mansion,  on 
Third  Street,  above  Spruce,  was  one  of  the  finest  private  residences  of  the 
day. 


76  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1787 

Carolina  was  compleated  which  made  a  representation  for  five  States.    Dined 
and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Morris's." — Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  23. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  May  23. — No  more  States  being  rep 
resented  I  rid  to  Gen1  Mifflins  *  to  breakfast — after  which 
in  Company  with  him  Mr  Madison,  Mr  Rutledge,  and  others 
I  crossed  the  Schuylkill  above  the  Falls — visited  Mr  Peters  f 
Mr  Penns  Seat, — and  Mr  Wm  Hamiltons. 

"  Dined  at  Mr  [Benjamin]  Chews  [No.  110  South  Third 
Street] — with  the  Wedding  guests  (Col°  [John  Eager] 
Howard  of  Baltimore  having  married  his  daughter  Peggy) 
— Drank  Tea  there  in  a  very  large  Circle  of  Ladies." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  24.— No  more  States  represented.  Dined,  and  drank  Tea  at  Mr 
John  Boss's.  J  One  of  my  Postilion  boys  (Paris)  being  sick,  requested  Doctr 
[John]  Jones  to  attend  him." — Washington's  Diary. 

FKIDAY,  MAY  25. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  May  25. — Another  Delegate  coming 
in  from  the  State  of  New  Jersey  gave  it  a  Representation 
and  encreased  the  number  to  Seven  which  forming  a 
quoram  of  the  13  the  Members  present  resolved  to  organize 
the  body ;  when  by  a  unanimous  vote  I  was  called  up  to 
the  Chair  as  President  of  the  body. — Majr  William  Jackson 
was  appointed  Secretary — and  a  Comee  was  chosen  consist- 

*  Thomas  Mifflin's  country  house  was  on  the  Ridge  Road,  at  the  Falls  of 
Schuylkill,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  in  what  is  now  the  Twenty-eighth 
"Ward  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  The  house  was  taken  down  quite  recently. 

f  Richard  Peters,  Judge  of  the  United  States  District  Court  for  Pennsyl 
vania  from  1792  until  his  death  in  1818,  was  a  warm  personal  friend  of 
General  Washington.  The  Peters  estate,  on  the  high  land  west  of  the 
Schuylkill  River,  about  one  mile  and  a  half  below  the  Falls,  and  known  as 
"Belmont,"  is  now  in  Fairmount  Park.  The  mansion-house,  erected  in 
1745  by  William  Peters,  is  still  standing  and  occupied  as  a  Park  restaurant. 

J  A  prominent  shipping  merchant  and  importing  agent  of  Philadelphia. 
A  Scotchman  by  birth. 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  77 

ing  of  3  Members  *  to  prepare  Rules  &  Regulations  for 
conducting  the  business — and  after  appointing  door  keepers 
the  Convention  adjourned  till  Monday,  to  give  time  to  the 
Comee  to  report  the  Matter  referred  to  them. 

"  Returned  many  visits  to  day — Dined  at  Mr  Tho"  Will- 
ings  f — and  sp*  the  evening  at  my  lodgings." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

"  May  26. — Keturned  all  my  visits  this  forenoon  dined  with  a  club  at  the 
City  Tavern  and  spent  the  evening  at  my  quarters  writing  letters.  May  27. 
— Went  to  the  Komish  Church  [St.  Mary's,  Fourth  Street,  above  Spruce] — 
to  high  Mass — Dined,  drank  Tea,  and  spent  the  evening  at  my  lodging." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  MAY  28. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  May  28. — Met  in  Convention  at  10 
Oclock.  Two  States  more — viz — Massachusetts  and  Con 
necticut  were  on  the  floor  to  day.  Established  Rules — 
agreeably  to  the  plan  bro*  in  by  the  Com8"  for  the  governm* 
of  the  Convention  &  adjourned. — No  com""  without  doors.! 

"  Dined  at  home,  and  drank  Tea  in  a  large  circle  at  Mr 
[Tench]  Francis's." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  29. — Attended  Convention — and  dined  at  home — after  wch  accom 
panied  Mrs  Morris  to  the  benefit  Concert  [at  the  City  Tavern]  of  a  Mr  Jutan 
[Juhan].  May  30. — Dined  with  Mr  [John]  Vaughan — drank  Tea,  and 
spent  the  evening  at  a  Wednesday  evening  party  at  Mr  &  M"  Lawrences.  \ 
May  31. — The  State  of  Georgia  came  on  the  Floor  of  the  Convention  to  day 
which  made  a  Kepresentation  of  ten  States.  Dined  at  Mr  Francis's  and 
drank  Tea  with  Mrs  Meridith." — Washington's  Diary. 

*  George  Wythe,  Alexander  Hamilton,  and  Charles  Pinckney. 

f  Thomas  Willing,  the  head  of  the  mercantile  house  of  Willing  &  Morris 
(Kobert  Morris  the  financier),  resided  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Third  Street 
and  Willing's  Alley,  below  Walnut  Street.  He  was  the  first  president  of 
the  Bank  of  North  America,  the  first  bank  chartered  in  this  country,  1781. 

J  One  of  the  rules  adopted  by  the  Convention,  to  be  observed  in  their 
proceedings  as  standing  orders,  reads  thus:  "That  nothing  spoken  in  the 
House  be  printed,  or  otherwise  published,  or  communicated  without  leave." 

\  John  Lawrence,  mayor  of  Philadelphia,  1765-66,  and  justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  1767-76. 


78  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1787 

FRIDAY,  JUNE  1. 

At  Philadelphia:  "June  1. — Attending  in  Convention — 
and  nothing  being  suffered  to  transpire  no  minutes  of  the 
proceedings  has  been,  or  will  be  inserted  in  this  diary. 

"  Dined  with  Mr  John  Penn,  and  spent  the  evening  at  a 
superb  entertainment  at  Bush  Hill  given  by  Mr  [William] 
Hamilton — at  which  were  more  than  an  hundred  guests." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

The  estate  called  "  Bush  Hill,"  purchased  in  1729  by  Andrew  Hamilton, 
the  eminent  lawyer,  was  part  of  the  Springettsbury  Manor.  It  lay  north  of 
Vine  Street,  in  what  is  now  the  Fifteenth  Ward  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
and  the  mansion,  erected  about  1740,  stood  on  the  north  side  of  the  present 
Button-wood  Street,  between  Seventeenth  and  Eighteenth  Streets.  It  was 
occupied  by  John  Adams  during  a  portion  of  his  term  as  Vice- President, 
and  was  destroyed  by  fire  about  the  year  1808. 

SATURDAY,  JUNE  2. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  June  2.— Mr  [Daniel  of  St.  Thomas] 
Jenifer  coming  in  with  sufficient  powers  for  the  purpose, 
gave  a  representation  to  Maryland ;  which  brought  all  the 
States  in  the  Union  into  Convention  except  Rhode  Island 
which  had  refused  to  send  delegates  thereto. 

"  Dined  at  the  City  Tavern  with  the  Club  &  spent  the 
evening  at  my  own  quarters.  June  3. — Dined  at  Mr  [George] 
Clymers  and  drank  Tea  there  also." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  4. 

At  Philadelphia:  "  June  4. — Attended  Convention. — Rep 
resentation  as  on  Saturday.  Reviewed  (at  the  importunity 
of  Gen1  Mifflin  and  the  officers)  the  Light  Infantry — Cavalry 
— and  part  of  the  Artillery  of  the  City. 

"  Dined  with  Gen1  Mifflin  &  drk  Tea  with  Miss  Cadwalla- 
der." — Washington's  Diary. 

"June  4. — In  the  evening  my  wife  and  I  went  to  Market  Street  to  see 
that  great  and  good  man  General  Washington.  We  had  a  full  view  of  him 
and  Major  Jackson,  who  walked  with  him,  but  the  number  of  people  who 
followed  him  on  all  sides  was  astonishing.  He  had  been  out  on  the  field  to 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  79 

review  Captain  Samuel  Miles  with  his  Troop  of  Horse,  the  light  infantry 
and  artillery. ' ' — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

TUESDAY,  JUNE  5. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  June  5. — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  with  a 
large  Company  &  spent  the  Evening  there — Attended  in 
Convention  the  usual  hours." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  June  6. — In  Convention  as  usual — Dined  at  the  Presidents  (Docf  Frank 
lins)  &  drank  Tea  there — after  which  returned  to  my  lodgings  and  wrote 
letters  for  France.  June  7. — Attended  Convention  as  usual — Dined  with  a 
Club  of  Convention  Members  at  the  Indian  Queen  [Tavern,  Fourth,  above 
Chestnut  Street] — Drank  Tea  &  spent  the  evening  at  my  lodgings.  June  8. 
— Attended  the  Convention. — Dined,  drank  Tea,  and  spent  the  evening  at 
my  lodgs8.  June  9. — At  Convention — Dined  with  the  Club  at  the  City 
Tavern — Drank  Tea  &  set  till  10  oclock  at  Mr  Powells." — Washington's 
Diary. 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  10. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  June  10. — Breakfasted  at  Mr  Powells, 
and  in  Company  with  him  rid  to  see  the  Botanical  Garden 
of  Mr  [William]  Bartram ;  which,  tho'  stored  with  many 
curious  plants,  Shrubs  &  trees,  many  of  which  are  exotics 
was  not  laid  off  with  much  taste,  nor  was  it  large. 

"  From  hence  we  rid  to  the  Farm  of  one  Jones,  to  see 
the  effect  of  the  plaister  of  Paris  which  appeared  obviously 
great.  .  .  .  From  hence  we  visited  Mr  Powells  own  farm 
after  which  I  went  (by  appointment)  to  the  Hills  &  dined 
with  Mr  &  Mrs  Morris — Returned  to  the  City  abe  dark." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

The  Bartram  gardens,  the  first  botanical  gardens  in  the  United  States, 
were  founded  in  1728  by  John  Bartram,  a  distinguished  botanist  of  Phila 
delphia.  They  were  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Schuylkill  Kiver,  a 
short  distance  below  the  lower  ferry,  afterward  called  Gray's  Ferry.  The 
house,  built  by  him  in  1731,  is  still  standing.  John  Bartram,  cited  by  Lin 
naeus  as  the  greatest  natural  botanist  in  the  world,  died  September  2,  1777  ; 
he  was  succeeded  by  his  son  William,  who  had  like  tastes.  Both  father  and 
son  travelled  extensively  through  the  United  States,  collecting  specimens. 
The  gardens,  comprising  about  seven  acres  in  what  is  now  the  Twenty- 


80  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1787 

seventh  Ward  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  have  been  lately  purchased  with 
some  additional  land,  by  the  city,  for  a  public  park. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  11. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  June  11. — Attended  in  Convention — 
Dined,  drank  Tea,  and  spent  the  evening  in  ray  own  Room." 

—  Washington's  Diary. 

"June  12. — Dined  and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Morris's — went  afterwards  to  a 
concert  [of  Mr.  Eeinagle]  at  the  City  Tavern.  June  13. — In  Convention — 
dined  at  Mr  Clymers  &  drank  Tea  there.  Spent  the  evening  at  Mr  Bing- 
hams.  June  14. — Dined  at  Major  [Thomas  Lloyd]  Moores  (after  being  in 
Convention)  and  spent  the  evening  at  my  own  lodgings.  June  15. — In 
Convention  as  usual — dined  at  Mr  Powells  &  drank  Tea  there.  June  16. — 
In  Convention — Dined  with  the  Club  at  the  City  Tavern— and  drank  Tea 
at  Doctr  Shippins  with  Mrs  Livingstons  party."  * — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  17. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  June  17.— Went  to  [Christ]  Church- 
heard  Bishop  White  preach,  and  see  him  ordain  two  Gen 
tlemen  Deacons — after  wch  rid  8  Miles  into  the  Country  and 
dined  with  Mr  Jn°  Ross  in  Chester  County — Returned  in 
the  Afternoon." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  June  18. — Attended  the  Convention — Dined  at  the  Quarterly  Meeting 
of  the  Sons  of  S'  Patrick  at  the  City  Tavn— Drank  Tea  at  Dr  Shippins  with 
M™  Livingston.  June  19. — Dined  (after  leaving  Convention)  in  a  family 
way  at  Mr  Morris's  and  spent  the  Evening  there  in  a  very  large  Company. 
June  20. — Attended  Convention — Dined  at  Mr  [Samuel]  Merediths  f  & 
drank  Tea  there.  June  21. — Attended  Convention — Dined  at  Mr  Pragers, 
and  spent  the  evening  in  my  Chamber.  June  22. — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  & 
drank  Tea  with  Mr  Frans.  Hopkinson.  June  23. — In  Convention — Dined 
at  Doctr  [Thomas]  Huston  &  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Morris's.  June  24. — Dined 
at  Mr  Morris's  &  spent  the  evening  at  Mr  Meridiths — at  Tea.  June  25. — 
Attended  Convention — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's — drank  Tea  there  &  spent  the 
evening  in  my  chamber.  June  26.— Attended  Convention — partook  of  a 
family  dinner  with  Govr  Randolph, — and  made  one  of  a  party  to  drink  Tea 

*  Dr.  William  Shippen,  the  younger,  and  his  daughter  Anne  Hume,  who 
married  Henry  Beekman  Livingston,  son  of  Robert  R.  Livingston,  March 
11,  1781. 

f  Member  of  Congress  1787-88,  and  Treasurer  of  the  United  States  from 
1789  to  1801. 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  81 

at  Grays  Ferry.*  June  27. — In  Convention — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's — drank 
Tea  there  also — and  spent  the  evening  in  my  own  chamber.  June  28. — At 
tended  Convention — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  in  a  large  Company  (the  news  of 
his  Bills  being  protested  arriving  last  Night  a  little  Mai-apropos) — Drank 
Tea  there  &  spent  the  evening  in  my  chamber.  June  29. — In  Convention — 
Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  and  spent  the  evening  there." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  JUNE  30. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  June  30. — Attended  Convention — 
Dined  with  a  Club  at  Springsbury  [?  Springettsbury] — con 
sisting  of  several  associated  families  of  the  City — the  Gen 
tlemen  of  which  met  every  Saturday  accompanied  by  the 
females  of  the  families  every  other  Saturday — this  was  the 
ladies  day." —  Washington's  Diary. 

Of  this  dining  club,  known  as  the  "Cold  Spring  Club,"  we  have  been 
unable  to  obtain  any  information  other  than  the  fact  that  Tench  Francis, 
the  first  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  North  America,  acted  as  treasurer  for  it  in 
the  summers  of  1786  and  1787.  It  is  presumed  that  the  place  of  meeting 
must  have  been  at  some  point  in  the  Springettsbury  Manor,  a  large  tract  of 
land  adjoining  the  city  of  Philadelphia  on  the  northwest,  and  in  which 
there  were  a  number  of  large  springs.  Besides  the  Saturday  above  men 
tioned,  Washington  dined  with  the  club,  as  appears  by  his  Diary,  on  July  7, 
14,  21,  28,  on  August  11  and  25,  and  on  September  8. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  1. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  Every  body  wishes,  every  body  expects 
something  from  the  convention  ;  but  what  will  be  the  final 
result  of  its  deliberation,  the  book  of  fate  must  disclose. 
Persuaded  I  am,  that  the  primary  cause  of  all  our  disorders 
lies  in  the  different  State  governments,  and  in  the  tenacity 

*  The  garden  at  Gray's  Ferry,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Schuylkill  River, 
three  miles  southwest  of  the  city,  was  one  of  the  most  popular  resorts  of  the 
day.  The  grounds  were  laid  out  with  pleasant  walks  and  ornamental 
shrubbery,  and  every  means,  such  as  concerts,  fireworks,  and  the  like,  were 
used  to  make  the  place  attractive.  Out-of-door  parties  attended  by  the  best 
people  of  the  city  were  frequently  held  at  the  garden,  and  on  several  public 
occasions  fetes  were  given  by  the  proprietors,  George  and  Robert  Gray. 
Manasseh  Cutler,  who  visited  the  garden  at  Gray's  Ferry,  July  14,  1787, 
gives  in  his  journal  an  elaborate  description  of  the  beauty  and  arrangement 
of  the  grounds. 

6 


82  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1787 

of  that  power,  which  pervades  the  whole  of  their  systems." 
—  Washington  to  David  Stuart. 

"  July  1. — Dined  and  spent  the  evening  at  home.  July  2. — Attended 
Convention — Dined  with  some  of  the  Members  of  Convention  at  the  Indian 
Queen.  Drank  Tea  at  Mr  Binghams,  and  walked  afterwards  in  the  State 
house  yard.  Set  this  Morning  for  Mr  Pine  who  wanted  to  correct  his  port1 
of  me."* — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  3. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  July  3. — Sat  before  the  meeting  of  the 
Convention  for  Mr  [Charles  Willson]  Peale  who  wanted  my 
picture  to  make  a  print  or  Metzotirrto  by.f  Dined  at  Mr 
Morris's  and  drank  Tea  at  M™  Powells — after  which  in 
Company  with  him,  I  attended  the  agricultural  Society  at 
Carpenters  Hall."| — Washington's  Diary. 

"July  3. — Keturning  from  a  visit  to  my  meadow  before  breakfast,  with 
my  daughter  Hannah,  we  met  His  Excellency  General  Washington  taking 
a  ride  on  horseback,  only  his  coachman  Giles  with  him." — Diary  of  Jacob 
Hiltzheimer. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  4. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  July  4. — Visited  Doctr  Shovats  Ana 
tomical  figures — and  (the  Convention  having  adjourned  for 
the  purpose)  went  to  hear  an  Oration  on  the  Anniversary 
of  Independence  delivered  by  a  Mr  Mitchell  a  student  of 
Law. — After  which  I  dined  with  the  State  Society  of  the 

*  The  portrait  painted  by  Mr.  Pine  at  Mount  Vernon  in  May,  1785. 

f  Mr.  Peale  made  several  copies  of  the  bust  portrait  resulting  from  this 
and  the  subsequent  sittings  noted  in  the  Diary,  under  dates  of  July  6  and  9. 
The  mezzotinto  executed  from  it  is  well  known  to  collectors,  although  im 
pressions  of  it  have  become  extremely  rare.  A  description  of  this  interesting 
print  will  be  found  on  page  18  of  Baker's  "  Engraved  Portraits  of  Washing 
ton." 

J  This  building,  in  which  the  sessions  of  the  Congress  of  1774  (the  First 
Continental  Congress)  were  held,  and  to  which  Washington  was  a  delegate, 
was  erected  by  "  The  Carpenters  Company  of  the  City  and  County  of  Phila 
delphia"  in  1770.  It  is  still  standing  in  perfect  preservation,  back  from  the 
south  side  of  Chestnut  Street,  below  Fourth. 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  83 

Cincinnati  at  Epplees  Tavern  [No.  117  Race  Street],  and 
drank  Tea  at  Mr  Powells." — Washington's  Diary. 

The  Pennsylvania  Journal  of  July  4,  in  the  following  notice  of  this  cele 
bration  of  the  anniversary  of  independence,  gives  a  different  name  for  the 
orator  of  the  day  from  that  in  the  Diary  :  "  THIS  MORNING,  at  the  hour 
of  eleven  being  the  Anniversary  of  Independence,  an  Oration  will  be  pro 
nounced  by  James  Campbell,  esquire,  in  honor  of  the  day,  at  the  Reformed 
Calvinist  Church,  in  Race-street  [below  Fourth,  south  side] — the  business 
of  the  day  to  be  introduced  by  Prayer,  by  the  Rev.  William  Rogers,  and  the 
doors  to  be  opened  at  10  o'clock." 

THURSDAY,  JULY  5. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  July  5. — Attended  Convention — Dined 
at  Mr  Morris's  and  drank  Tea  there — spent  the  evening 
also." —  Washington' 's  Diary. 

"  July  6.  — Sat  for  Mr  Peale  in  the  Morning — attended  Convention — 
Dined  at  the  City  Tavern  with  some  members  of  Convention — and  spent 
the  evening  at  my  lodgings.  July  7. — Attended  Convention — Dined  with 
the  Club  at  Springsburg — and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Meridiths." — Washington's 
Diary. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  8. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  July  8.— About  12  Oclock  rid  to  Doctr 
Logans  *  near  Germantown  where  I  dined — Returned  in 
the  evening  and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Morris's." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

"  July  9. — Sat  in  the  Morning  for  Mr  Peale — Attended  Convention — 
Dined  at  Mr  Morris's — &  accompanied  Mr"  Morris  to  Docf  [John]  Red 
mans  3  Miles  in  the  Country  where  we  drank  Tea  and  returned.  July  10. — 
Attended  Convention — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's — Drank  Tea  at  Mr.  Binghams 
&  went  to  the  Play  [at  the  South wark  Theatre].  July  11. — Attended  Con 
vention — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  and  spent  the  evening  there.  July  12. — In 
Convention — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  &  drank  Tea  with  Mrs  Livingston.  July 
13. — In  Convention — Dined,  drank  Tea  &  spent  the  Evening  at  Mr  Morris's. 

*  Dr.  George  Logan  resided  at  "Stenton,"  on  the  Germantown  road,  a 
short  distance  below  Germantown.  The  house  built  in  1728  by  his  grand 
father  James  Logan  is  still  standing.  Washington  passed  the  night  of 
August  23,  1777,  at  "Stenton,"  when  on  his  way  to  meet  the  British  army 
under  General  Howe,  at  the  Chesapeake. 


84  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1787 

July  14. — In  Convention — Dined  at  Springsbury  with  the  Club — and  went 
to  the  play  in  the  Afternoon.  July  15. — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  &  remained 
at  home  all  day.  July  16. — In  Convention  -  Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  and 
drank  Tea  with  M™  Powell." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  17. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  July  17. — In  Convention — Dined  at 
M™  House's,  and  made  an  excursion  with  a  party  for  Tea  to 
Grays  Ferry." — Washington's  Diary 

"  July  17.— In  the  afternoon  went  with  my  wife,  Matthew  Clarkson,  and 
Mr.  &  Mrs.  Barge  to  Mr.  Grays  ferry,  where  we  saw  the  great  improve 
ments  made  in  the  garden,  summer  houses,  and  walks  in  the  woods.  Gen 
eral  "Washington  and  a  number  of  other  gentlemen  of  the  present  Conven 
tion,  came  down  to  spend  the  afternoon." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  18. 

At  Philadelphia:  "July  18. — In  Convention — Dined  at 
Mr  [Robert]  Milligans — and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Meridiths." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  July  19. — Dined  (after  coming  out  of  Convention)  at  Mr  John  Penn  the 
Youngers — Drank  Tea  &  spent  the  evening  at  my  lodgings.  July  20. — In 
Convention — Dined  at  home  and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Clymers.  July  21. — In 
Convention — Dined  at  Springsbury  with  the  Club  of  Gentlm  &  Ladies — 
Went  to  the  Play  afterwards." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  July  22.— Left  Town  by  5  oclock  A.M. 
— breakfasted  at  Gen1  Mifflins — Rode  up  with  him  &  others 
to  the  Spring  Mills  *  and  returned  to  Gen1  Mifflins  to  Din- 


*  On  the  Schuylkill,  a  short  distance  below  Conshohocken,  the  Matson's 
Ford  of  the  Revolution.  The  old  mill,  said  to  be  the  oldest  grist-mill  in 
Pennsylvania,  is  still  in  operation.  Washington  visited  Spring  Mill  for  the 
purpose  of  inspecting  the  vineyard  and  bee  colony  established  there  by  Peter 
Legaux,  a  Frenchman  of  intelligence  who  came  to  this  country  in  1785. 
The  following  entry  in  Mr.  Legaux's  manuscript  diary  refers  to  this  visit : 
"July  22,  1787. — This  day  Gen.  Washington,  Gen.  Mifflin  and  four  others 
of  the  Convention  did  us  the  honor  of  paying  us  a  visit  in  order  to  see  our 
vineyard  and  bee  houses.  In  this  they  found  great  delight,  asked  a  number 
of  questions,  and  testified  their  highest  approbation  with  my  manner  of 
managing  bees,  which  gave  me  a  great  deal  of  pleasure." 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  85 

ner   after   which    proceeded   to    the   City." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"July  23. — In  Convention  as  usual — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  and  drank  Tea 
at  Lansdown*  (the  Seat  of  Mr  Penn).  July  24. — In  Convention — Dined  at 
Mr  Morris's,  and  drank  Tea,  by  appointment  &  partr  Invitation  at  Doctr 
[Benjamin]  Hush's.  July  25. — In  Convention — Dined  at  Mr.  Morris's, 
drank  Tea  &  spent  the  evening  there.  July  26. — In  Convention. — Dined  at 
Mr  Morris's,  drank  Tea  there,  and  stayed  within  all  the  Afternoon." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  JULY  27. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  July  27. — In  Convention,  which  ad 
journed  this  day,  to  meet  again  on  Monday  the  6th  of  August  f 
that  a  Comee  which  had  been  appointed  (consisting  of  5 
members  J)  might  have  time  to  arrange,  and  draw  into 
method  &  form  the  several  matters  which  had  been  agreed 
to  by  the  Convention  as  a  Constitution  for  the  United  States. 

"  Dined  at  Mr  Morris's,  and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Powells." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"July  28. — Dined  with  the  Club  at  Springsbury — Drank  Tea  there — and 
spent  the  Evening  at  my  lodgings.  July  29. — Dined  and  spent  the  whole 
day  at  Mr  Morris's  principally  in  writing  letters." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  JULY  30. 

Near  Valley  Forge :  "  July  30. — In  company  with  Mr 
Govr  [Gouverneur]  Morris,  and  in  his  Phceton  with  my 

*  "  Lansdowne,"  originally  comprising  about  two  hundred  acres  and  im 
mediately  south  of  "Belmont,"  the  seat  of  Judge  Peters,  was  one  of  the 
finest  properties  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Schuylkill.  The  mansion-house, 
erected  by  John  Penn  the  elder,  was  destroyed  by  fire  July  4,  1854.  In 
1797  "Lansdowne"  became  the  property  of  William  Bingham,  from  whom 
it  descended  to  the  Barings,  which  family  retained  possession  of  it  until 
about  1866,  when  it  was  purchased  by  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  ceded  to  the 
city,  and  is  now  included  in  Fairmount  Park. 

f  According  to  the  Journal  of  the  Convention  in  the  archives  of  the  De 
partment  of  State,  Washington,  D.C.,  the  adjournment  to  August  6  was 
made  on  July  26,  and  not  on  the  27th,  as  stated  by  Washington. 

J  John  Rutledge,  Edmund  Randolph,  Nathaniel  Gorham,  Oliver  Ells 
worth,  and  James  Wilson. 


86  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1787 

horses;   went  up  to  one  Jane  Moores  in  the  vicinity  of 
Valley  Forge  to  get  Trout." —  Washington's  Diary. 

The  Jane  Moore  referred  to  was  the  owner  and  occupant  of  two  hundred 
and  seventy-five  acres  of  land  in  Upper  Merion  Township,  Montgomery 
County,  Pennsylvania.  The  property  was  situated  about  one  mile  west  of 
the  Schuylkill  Kiver,  on  Trout  Creek,  a  stream  which  has  its  source  in 
Chester  County  near  the  present  village  of  Berwyn,  and  empties  into  the 
Schuylkill  three  miles  below  Valley  Forge.  It  has  been  stated  that  "  Moore 
Hall,"  the  seat  of  William  Moore,  Esq..  three  miles  above  Valley  Forge,  was 
the  objective  point  of  the  excursion  recorded  in  the  Diary.  This  is  undoubt 
edly  an  error.  William  Moore  died  May  30,  1782,  and  his  widow  William- 
ina,  December  6,  1784,  after  which  the  family  removed  to  Philadelphia. 
"  Moore  Hall"  was  advertised  for  private  sale  July  5,  1787,  and  offered  at 
public  vendue  October  17,  1787.  It  was  probably  not  occupied  in  July  of 
that  year.  The  mistake  doubtless  had  its  origin  in  an  item  printed  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Packet  (and  other  Philadelphia  papers),  Wednesday,  August 
1,  1787:  "Monday  his  Excellency  General  Washington  set  out  for  Moore 
Hall  in  order  to  visit  his  old  quarters  at  the  Valley  Forge  in  this  State."  A 
statement  at  variance  with  the  Diary  entry. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  31. 

At  Valley  Forge :  "  July  31. — Whilst  Mr  Morris  was  fish 
ing  I  rid  over  the  old  Cantonment  of  the  American  [army] 
of  the  Winter  1777  &  8 — visited  all  the  Works  wch  were  in 
Ruins ;  and  the  Incampments  in  woods  where  the  ground 
had  not  been  cultivated.  ...  On  my  Return  to  Mra  Moores 
I  found  Mr  Rob'  Morris  &  his  Lady  there." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  August  1. — About  11  o'clock,  after  it  had  ceased  raining,  we  all  set  out 
for  the  City — and  dined  at  Mr  Morris's.  August  2. — Dined,  Drank  Tea  & 
spent  the  Evening  at  Mr  Morris's.'' — Washington's  Diary. 

FKIDAY,  AUGUST  3.* 

At  Trenton,  New  Jersey :  "  August  3. — In  company  with 
Mr  Rob*  Morris  and  his  Lady — and  Mr  Gouvr  Morris  I  went 


*  "  Philadelphia,  August  4. — His  Excellency  General  Washington  attentive 
to  every  thing  interesting  to  his  country,  yesterday  [August  3]  visited  and 
examined  the  steel  furnace  belonging  to  Nancurrow  and  Matlack,  lately  re 
built,  in  this  city.  It  is  much  the  largest  and  best  constructed  furnace  in 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  87 

up  to  Trenton  on  another  Fishing  party — lodged  at  Col° 
Sam  Ogdens  at  the  Trenton  [Iron]  Works — In  the  Evening 
fished,  not  very  successfully." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"August  4. — In  the  morning,  and  between  breakfast  &  dinner,  fished 
again  with  more  success  (for  perch)  than  yesterday — Dined  at  Gen1  [Phile 
mon]  Dickenson's  on  the  East  side  of  the  Kiver  a  little  above  Trenton  & 
returned  in  the  evening  to  Col°  Ogden's.  August  5. — Dined  at  Col°  Ogdens, 
early  ;  after  which  in  the  company  with  which  I  came,  I  returned  to  Phila 
delphia  at  which  we  arrived  ab*  9  Oclk. " — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  6. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  August  6. — Met  according  to  adjourn 
ment  in  Convention,  &  received  the  Rep*  of  the  Committee 
— Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Meridiths." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

11  August  7. — In  Convention — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  and  spent  the  evening 
there  also.  August  8. — In  Convention — Dined  at  the  City  Tavern  and  re 
mained  there  till  near  ten  o'clock.  August  9. — In  Convention — Dined  at  Mr 
[John]  Swanwicks  and  spent  the  Afternu  in  my  own  Koom — reading  letters 
and  accts  from  home.  August  10. — Dined  (after  coming  out  of  Convention) 
at  Mr  Binghams  and  drank  Tea  there — spent  the  evening  at  my  lodgings. 
August  11. — In  Convention — Dined  at  the  Club  at  Springsbury  and  after 
Tea  returned  home.  August  12. — Dined  at  Bush-hill  with  Mr  William 
Hamilton — Spent  the  evening  at  home  writing  letters.  August  13. — In  Con 
vention — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's,  and  drank  Tea  with  Mrs  Richard  Bache,  at 
the  President's.  August  14. — In  Convention — Dined,  drank  Tea,  and  spent 
the  evening  at  home.  August  15. — The  same  as  yesterday.  August  16. — 
In  Convention — Dined  at  Mr  Pollocks  *  &  spent  the  evening  in  my  chamber. 
August  17. — In  Convention — Dined  and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Powells.  August 
18. — In  Convention — Dined  at  Chief  Justice  [Thomas]  McKeans — spent 
the  afternoon  &  evening  at  my  lodgings." — Washington's  Diary. 

America,  being  charged  with  fourteen  tons  of  iron  at  that  time,  converting 
into  steel ;  and  His  Excellency  was  pleased  to  express  his  approbation  of  it." 
— Pennsylvania  Packet. 

*  Oliver  Pollock,  an  Irishman  by  birth  and  at  one  time  a  prominent  mer 
chant  in  New  Orleans.  He  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Colonies  and  rendered 
substantial  pecuniary  aid  during  the  war  fur  independence.  Mr.  Pollock  died 
in  Mississippi,  December  17,  1823,  at  an  advanced  age. 


88  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1787 

SUNDAY,  AUGUST  19. 

At  Whitemarsh,  Pennsylvania :  "August  19. — In  company 
with  Mr  Powell  rode  up  to  the  White  Marsh — traversed  my 
old  Incampmerit,*  and  contemplated  on  the  dangers  which 
threatened  the  American  Army  at  that  place — Dined  at 
Germantown — visited  Mr  Blair  M'Cleneganf — drank  Tea 
at  Mr  Peter's  [Belmont]  and  returned  to  Philadelphia  in  the 
evening." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  August  20. — In  Convention — Dined,  drank  Tea  and  spent  the  evening 
at  Mr  Morris.  August  21. — Did  the  like  this  day  also.  August  22. — In 
Convention — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  farm  at  the  Hills — visited  at  Mr  Powells 
in  the  Afternoon.  August  23. — In  Convention — Dined,  drank  Tea  &  spent 
the  evening  at  Mr  Morris's.  August  24. — Did  the  same  this  day.  August  25. 
— In  Convention — Dined  with  the  Club  at  Springsbury  &  spent  the  after 
noon  at  iny  lodgings.  August  26. — Kode  into  the  Country  for  exercise  8  or 
10  miles — Dined  at  the  Hills  and  spent  the  evening  in  my  chamber  writing 
letters.  August  27. — In  Convention — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  and  drank  Tea 
at  Mr  Powells.  August  28. — In  Convention — Dined,  drank  Tea,  and  spent 
the  evening  at  Mr  Morris's.  August  29. — Did  the  same  as  yesterday. 
August  30. — Again  the  same.  August  31. — In  Convention — Dined  at  Mr 
Morris's  and  with  a  Party  went  to  Lansdale  [Lansdowne]&  drank  Tea  with 
Mr  &  Mrs  Penn.  September  1. — Dined  at  Mr  Morris  after  coming  out  of 
Convention  and  drank  Tea  there.  September  2. — Eode  to  Mr  Bartrams  and 
other  places  in  the  Country, — Dined  &  drank  Tea  at  Grays  ferry  and  returned 
to  the  City  in  the  evening." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBEE  3. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  September  3. — In  Convention — visited 
a  Machine  at  Doctr  Franklins  (called  a  Mangle)  for  pressing, 
in  place  of  Ironing,  clothes  from  the  wash — Which  Machine 
from  the  facility  with  which  it  dispatches  business  is  well 
calculated  for  Table  cloths  &  such  articles  as  have  not  pleats 

*  The  Continental  army  was  encamped  at  Whitemarsh,  twelve  miles  north 
of  Philadelphia,  from  November  2  to  December  11,  1777. 

f  Blair  McClenachan,  a  prominent  merchant  of  Philadelphia,  was  at  this 
time  a  resident  of  the  historic  Chew  House  (Cliveden)  at  Germantown,  still 
standing,  which  he  had  purchased  from  Benjamin  Chew  in  September,  1779. 
He  retained  the  ownership  until  April,  1797,  when  he  reconveyed  the  prop 
erty  to  Judge  Chew. 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  89 

&  irregular  foldings  and  would  be  very  useful  in  all  large 
families — Dined,  drank  Tea  &  spent  the  evening  at  Mr 
Morris's." —  'Washington's  Diary. 


"  September  4. — In  Convention — Dined  &c  at  Mr  Morris's.  September  5. 
— In  Convention— Dined  at  Mrs  Houses  &  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Binghams. 
September  6. — In  Convention — Dined  at  Docf  [James]  Hutchinsons  and 
spent  the  afternoon  and  evening  at  Mr  Morris's.  September  7. — In  Conven 
tion — Dined,  and  spent  the  afternoon  at  home  (except  while  riding  a  few 
Miles).  September  8. — In  Convention — Dined  at  Springsbury  with  the 
Club — and  spent  the  evening  at  my  lodgings.  September  9. — Dined  at  Mr 
Morris's  after  making  a  visit  to  Mr  Gardoqui  (Minister  from  Spain)  who  as 
he  says  came  from  New  York  on  a  visit  to  me.  September  10. — In  Conven 
tion — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  &  drank  Tea  there.  September  11. — In  Conven 
tion — Dined  at  home  in  a  large  Company  with  Mr  Gardoqui — drank  Tea — 
and  spent  the  evening  there.  September  12. — In  Convention — Dined  at  the 
President's  and  drank  Tea  at  Mr  Pines." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THUESDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  13. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  September  13. — Attended  Convention, 
Dined  at  the  Vice  Presidents  Cha"  Biddies  * — Drank  Tea  at 
Mr  Powells." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  When  he  [Washington]  was  in  the  Convention  I  dined  several  times  in 
company  with  him,  and  had  the  honor  of  his  company  to  dine  with  me. 
When  he  was  elected  President  of  the  United  States,  he  lived  during  the 
whole  of  the  time  he  was  in  Philadelphia  nearly  opposite  to  me.  At  that 
time  I  saw  him  almost  daily.  I  frequently  attended  his  levees  to  introduce 
some  friend  or  acquaintance  and  called  sometimes  with  Governor  Mifflin. 
The  General  always  behaved  politely  to  the  Governor,  but  it  appeared  to  me 
that  he  had  not  forgotten  the  Governor's  opposition  to  him  during  the  Revo 
lutionary  war.  He  was  a  most  elegant  figure  of  a  man,  with  so  much 
dignity  of  manner,  that  no  person  whatever  could  take  any  improper  liber 
ties  with  him.  I  have  heard  Mr  Robert  Morris,  who  was  as  intimate  with 
him  as  any  man  in  America,  say  that  he  was  the  only  man  in  whose  pres 
ence  he  felt  any  awe.  You  would  seldom  see  a  frown  or  a  smile  on  his 
countenance,  his  air  was  serious  and  reflecting,  yet  I  have  seen  him  in  the 
theatre  laugh  heartily." — Autobiography  of  Charles  Biddle,  p.  284. 

*  Charles  Biddle  was  Vice-President  of  Pennsylvania  from  October  10, 
1785,  to  October  9,  1787. 


90  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1787 

FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  14. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  September  14. — Attended  Convention 
— Dined  at  the  City  Tavern,  at  an  entertainm*  given  on  my 
ace*  by  the  City  light  Horse. — Spent  the  evening  at  Mr 

Meridiths." —  Washington's  Diary. 

The  "  City  light  Horse,"  now  known  as  the  "First  Troop  Philadelphia 
City  Cavalry,"  was  organized  November  17,  1774.  Of  this  crack  company 
it  has  been  said,  "That  troop  proved  time  and  time  again,  as  Lee's  and 
"Washington's  Legion  subsequently  proved  in  the  Carolinas,  that  there  is 
room  in  society  for  the  order  of  gentlemen,  and  that  in  time  of  stress  it  is 
well  for  the  State  to  have  a  class  to  call  on  who  will  die  as  gayly  as  they 
dance,  and  will  pour  out  their  blood,  as  they  were  wont  to  do  their  fortunes, 
for  faith  and  honor,  for  sentiment  and  ideals. ' '  * 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  15. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  September  15. — Concluded  the  business 
of  Convention  all  to  signing  the  proceedings;  to  effect 
which  the  House  sat  till  6  oclock ;  and  adjourned  till  Mon 
day  that  the  Constitution  which  it  was  proposed  to  offer  to 
the  People  might  be  engrossed — and  a  number  of  printed 
copies  struck  off — Dined  at  Mr  Morris's  &  spent  the  evening 
there. 

"  Mr  Gardoqui  set  oft'  for  his  return  to  ISTew  York  this 
forenoon." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"September  16. — Wrote  many  letters  in  the  forenoon — Dined  with  Mr  & 
Mr8  Morris  at  the  Hills  &  returned  to  town  in  the  Evens." — Washington's 
Diary. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  17. 

At  Philadelphia:  "September  17. — Met  in  Convention 
when  the  Constitution  received  the  unanimous  assent  of  11 
States  t  and  Col°  Hamilton's  from  New  York  (the  only 

*  Bradley  T.  Johnson,  "  Life  of  General  Washington,"  p.  159. 

f  When  it  appeared  that  the  consent  of  eleven  States  was  recorded  in  favor 
of  the  Constitution,  Franklin,  looking  toward  a  sun  which  was  blazoned  on 
the  President's  chair,  said  of  it  to  those  near  him,  "In  the  vicissitudes  of 
hope  and  fear  I  was  not  able  to  tell  whether  it  was  rising  or  setting ;  now  I 
know  that  it  is  the  rising  sun." 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  91 

delegate  from  thence  in  Convention)  and  was  subscribed  to 
by  every  Member  present  except  Govr  Randolph  and  Col° 
Mason  from  Virginia — &  Mr  Gerry  from  Massachusetts. 

"  The  business  being  thus  closed,  the  Members  adjourned 
to  the  City  Tavern,  dined  together  and  took  a  cordial  leave 
of  each  other — after  which  I  returned  to  my  lodgings — did 
some  business  with,  and  received  the  papers  from  the  Sec 
retary  of  the  Convention,  and  retired  to  meditate  on  the 
momentous  wk  which  had  been  executed,  after  not  less 
than  five,  for  a  large  part  of  the  time  Six,  and  sometimes  7 
hours  sitting  every  day  [except],  Sundays  &  the  ten  days 
adjournment  to  give  a  Corn66  opportunity  &  time  to  arrange 
the  business  for  more  than  four  Months." — Washington's 
Diary. 

In  transmitting  to  the  President  of  Congress  the  full  text  of  the  proposed 
Constitution,  Washington  wrote,  "In  all  our  deliberations  on  this  subject 
we  kept  steadily  in  our  view,  that  which  appears  to  us  the  greatest  interest 
of  every  true  American,  the  consolidation  of  our  Union,  in  which  is  involved 
our  prosperity,  felicity,  safety,  perhaps  our  national  existence.  This  impor 
tant  consideration,  seriously  and  deeply  impressed  on  our  minds,  led  each 
state  in  the  Convention  to  be  less  rigid  on  points  of  inferior  magnitude  than 
might  have  been  otherwise  expected  ;  and  thus  the  Constitution,  which  we 
now  present,  is  the  result  of  a  spirit  of  amity,  and  of  that  mutual  deference 
and  concession  which  the  peculiarity  of  our  political  situation  rendered  indis- 
pensible." 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  18. 

Leaves  Philadelphia:  "September  18. — Finished  what 
private  business  I  had  to  do  in  the  City  this  forenoon — took 
my  leave  of  those  families  in  wch  I  had  been  most  intimate 
dined  early  at  Mr  Morris's  with  whom  &  Mr  Gouvr  Morris 
I  parted  at  Grays  ferry — and  reached  Chester  in  Company 
with  Mr  [John]  Blair  who  I  invited  to  a  seat  in  my  Carriage 
'till  we  should  reach  Mount  Vernon." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"September  19. — Prevented  by  Kain  (much  of  which  fell  in  the  Night) 
from  setting  off  till  about  8  o'clock,  when  it  ceased  &  promising  to  be  fair 
we  departed — baited  at  Wilmington — dined  at  Christiana  and  lodged  at  the 
head  of  Elk. — At  the  bridge  near  to  which  my  horses  (two  of  them)  and 


92  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1787 

Carriage  had  a  very  narrow  escape,  for  the  Rain  which  had  fallen  the  pro 
ceeding  evening  having  swelled  the  water  considerably  there  was  no  fording 
it  safely  I  was  reduced  to  the  necessity  therefore  of  remaining  on  the  other 
side  or  of  attempting  to  cross  on  an  old,  rotten  &  long  disused  bridge — Being 
anxious  to  get  on  I  preferred  the  latter  and  in  the  attempt  one  of  my  horses 
fell  15  feet  at  least  the  other  very  near  following  which  (had  it  happened) 
would  have  taken  the  Carriage  with  baggage  along  with  him  and  destroyed 
the  whole  effectually — however  by  prompt  assistance  of  some  people  at  a 
Mill  just  by  and  great  exertion,  the  first  horse  was  disengaged  from  his 
harness,  the  2d  prevented  from  going  quite  through  and  drawn  off'  and  the 
Carriage  rescued  from  hurt.  September  20. — Sett  off  after  an  early  breakfast 
— crossed  the  Susquehanna  and  dined  in  Havre  de  gras  at  the  House  of  one 
Rogers — and  lodged  at  Skirrets  Tavern  12  Miles  short  of  Baltimore.  Sep 
tember  21. — Breakfasted  in  Baltimore — dined  at  the  Widow  Balls  (formerly 
Spurriers) — and  lodged  at  Major  Snowdens  who  was  not  at  home." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  September  22. — Breakfasted  at 
Bladensburgh  and  passing  through  George  Town  dined  in 
Alexandria  and  reached  home  (with  Mr  Blair)  about  sun  set 
after  an  absence  of  four  Months  and  14  days." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  24. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  In  the  first  moment  after  my  return, 
I  take  the  liberty  of  sending  to  you  a  copy  of  the  constitu 
tion,  which  the  federal  convention  has  submitted  to  the 
people  of  these  States.  ...  I  wish  the  constitution  which 
is  offered,  had  been  more  perfect ;  but  I  sincerely  believe  it 
is  the  best  that  could  be  obtained  at  this  time." — Washing 
ton  to  Patrick  Henry. 

WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBER  3. 

At  Abingdon  :  "  October  3. — "Went  up  with  Mrs  "Washing 
ton  to  Abingdon — Dined  at  Mr  Herberts  in  Alexandria  on 
our  way." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  4. — Dined  at  Abingdon  and  came  home  in  the  Afternoon — bro* 

Fanny  Washington  with  us." — Washington's  Diary. 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  93 

FRIDAY,  OCTOBER  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  October  5. — In  the  Afternoon  Mr 
Alexr  Donald  came  in.  October  7. — After  breakfast  Mr 
Donald  went  away." — Washington's  Diary, 

"  I  staid  two  days  with  General  Washington  at  Mount  Vernon  about  six 
weeks  ago.  He  is  in  perfect  good  health,  and  looks  almost  as  well  as  he  did 
twenty  years  ago.  I  never  saw  him  so  keen  for  anything  in  my  life  as  he 
is  for  the  adoption  of  the  new  scheme  of  government.  As  the  eyes  of  all 
America  are  turned  towards  this  truly  great  and  good  man  for  the  first 
President,  I  took  the  liberty  of  sounding  him  upon  it.  He  appears  to  be 
earnestly  against  going  into  public  life  again  ;  pleads  in  excuse  for  himself 
his  love  of  retirement  and  his  advanced  age,  but  notwithstanding  of  these, 
I  am  fully  of  opinion  he  may  be  induced  to  appear  once  more  on  the  public 
stage  of  life.  I  form  my  opinion  from  what  passed  between  us  in  a  very 
long  and  serious  conversation,  as  well  as  from  what  I  could  gather  from 
Mrs.  Washington  on  the  same  subject." — Alexander  Donald  to  Thomas 
Jefferson,  November  12,  1787. 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  6. 

At  Mount  Yernon :  "  October  6. — Towards  evening  Mr  & 
Mrs  [Samuel]  Powell  of  Philadelphia  came  in." —  Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

"  October  8. — Rid  with  Mr  Powell  to  my  Plantations  at  Muddy  hole,  Dogue 
run  Frenchs  &  the  Ferry.  October  9. — Rid  with  Mr  &  Mri  Powell  to  view 
the  ruins  of  Belvoir.  October  10. — Mr  &  Mr3  Powell  going  away  after  an 
early  breakfast  I  rid  to  all  my  Plantations." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  11. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  October  11. — In  the  evening  Gen. 
[Charles  Cotesworth]  Pinkney  and  his  Lady  came  in  on 
their  return  to  South  Carolina  from  the  Federal  Conven 
tion." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  14. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  October  14. — A  Severe  frost  this 
Morning,  which  killed  Pease,  Buckwheat,  Pumpkins,  Po- 
tatoe  Vines  &c  turning  them  quite  black." — Washington's 
Diary. 


94  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1787 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  22. 

At  George  Town :  "  October  22. — Went  up  to  a  meeting 
of  the  Potk  Company  at  George  Town — called  at  Muddy 
hole  Plantation  in  my  way — did  the  business  which  called 
the  Comy  together — dined  at  Shuters  Tavern  and  returned 
as  far  as  Abingdon  at  Night." — Washington's  Diary. 

"October  23. — After  a  very  early  breakfast  at  Abingdon,  I  arrived  at 
Muddy  hole  Plantation  by  8  o'clock." — Washington' 's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  27. — Went  to  the  Woods 
back  of  Muddy  hole  with  the  hounds — unkennelled  2  foxes 
and  dragged  others  but  caught  none — the  dogs  running 
wildly  and  being  under  no  command." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  28. 

At  Pohick  Church :  "  October  28.— Went  to  Pohick  Church 
— Mr  Lear  &  Washington  Custis  in  the  Carriage  with  me." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  1. 

At  Alexandria :  "  November  1. — Rid  by  the  way  of  Muddy 
hole  where  the  people  were  taking  up  Turnips  to  transplant 
for  Seed  to  Alexandria  to  attend  a  Meeting  of  the  Directors 
of  the  Potomack  Company — also  the  exhibition  of  the  Boys 
of  the  Academy  in  this  place. — Dined  at  Lehigh  [?  Leigh's] 
Tavern  &  lodged  at  Col°  Fitzgerald's  after  returning  ab*  11 
o'clock  at  Night  from  the  performance  which  was  well  exe 
cuted." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  November  2. — After  breakfast  I  returned  home  by  way  of  Muddy  hole, 
Dogue  Run,  Frenchs  and  the  Ferry." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  November  4. — After  the  Candles  were 
lighted  Mr  &  Mrs  Powell  came  in." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  November  5. — Mr  &  Mrs  Powell  remaining  here  I  continued  at  home 
all  day.  November  6. — Mr  &  Mrs  Powell  crossing  the  River  to  Mr  Digges  a 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  95 

little  after  sun  rise  I  accompanied  them  that  far  &  having  my  horse  carried 
into  the  Neck  I  rid  round  that  and  all  the  other  plantations. " —  Washington's 
Diary. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  8. 

At  Alexandria :  "  November  8. — Went  up  to  Alexandria  to 
meet  the  Directors  of  the  Potomack  Compy — Dined  at  Mr 
Leighs  Tavern  and  retd  in  the  afternoon." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  November  15. — Went  to  Alexandria  to  an  Election  of  a  Senator,  for  the 
district  of  Fairfax  &  Prince  "William.  .  .  .  Gave  my  suffrage  for  Mr  Thos 
West  who  with  a  Mr  Pope  from  the  other  County  were  Candidates  and 
returned  home  to  dinner  through  the  midst  of  the  Rain  from  an  apprehen 
sion  that  the  weather  was  not  likely  to  abate  in  the  evening." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  18. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  18. — To  dinner  came  Mr 
Potts  his  wife  and  Brother  and  Mr  Wilson  from  Alexandria 
— and  soon  after  them  Col°  Humphreys." — Washington's 
Diary. 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  19. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  19. — Mr  Rob*  Morris,  Mr 
Gour  [Gouverneur]  Morris  &  Doctr  Ruston  came  in  before 
Dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  November  21. — Mess"  Morris's  &  Docf  Ruston  went  away  after  Break 
fast — with  the  first  two  I  rid  a  few  Miles — and  then  visited  my  plantations 
at  Frenchs,  Dogue  Run  &  Muddy  hole  on  my  Return." — Washington's 
Diary. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  November  29. — In  Company  with 
Col°  Humphreys  Majr  Washington  &  Mr  Lear  went  a  hunt 
ing,  found  a  fox  about  11  o'clock  near  the  Pincushion — run 
him  hard  for  near  3  quarters  of  an  hour  &  then  lost  him. 
Mr  Lund  Washington  who  joined  us,  came  &  dined  with  us 
and  returned  afterwards." —  Washington's  Diary. 


96  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1787 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  30. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  have  seen  no  publication  yet,  that 
ought  in  my  judgment  to  shake  the  proposed  constitution  in 
the  mind  of  an  impartial  and  candid  public.  In  fine,  I  have 
hardly  seen  one,  that  is  not  addressed  to  the  passions  of  the 
people,  and  obviously  calculated  to  alarm  their  fears.  Every 
attempt  to  amend  the  constitution  at  this  time  is  in  my 
opinion  idle  and  vain." — Washington  to  David  Stuart. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  1. — Went  with  Col°  Hum 
phreys,  Majr  W.  &  Mr  Lear  a  fox  hunting,  found  a  fox  ab* 
9  oclock  &  run  him  hard  till  near  10  and  lost  him." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

"December  5. — Went  out,  in  Company  with  Col°  Humphreys,  with  the 
hounds  after  we  had  breakfasted — took  the  drag  of  a  Fox  on  the  side  of 
Hunting  Creek  near  the  Cedar  gut — carried  it  through  Muddy  hole  Planta 
tion  into  the  Woods  hack  of  it — and  lost  it  near  the  Main  Road.  December 
8. — Went  a  hunting  after  breakfast;  about  Noon  found  a  fox  between 
Muddy  hole  &  Pincushion,  which  the  Dogs  run  for  some  time  in  Wood 
thro  which  there  was  no  following  them  so  whether  they  caught,  or  lost  it  is 
uncertain." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  15. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  December  15. — A  little  after  Sun 
rise,  in  company  with  the  Gentlemen  who  came  yesterday 
[Messrs.  Rumney,  Manshur,  and  Porter] — Col°  Humphreys, 
Majr  Washington  &  Mr  Lear,  went  a  hunting ;  but  did  not 
get  a  fox  on  foot  nor  is  it  certain  we  ever  touched  on  the 
trail  of  one. — The  Gentlemn  and  Lund  Washington  (who 
joined  us)  came  home  to  dinner  &  returned  home  after 
wards." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  December  22. — After  our  usual  breakfasting  Col°  Humphreys,  Majr 
Washington  &  myself  with  Mr  Lear  went  out  with  the  hounds — dragged  up 
the  Creek  to  the  Gum  Spring  and  then  the  Woods  between  Muddy  hole, 
Dogue  Run  &Col°  Masons  Quarters  without  touching  on  the  trail  of  a  fox. — 
I  visited  the  Plantations  (in  going  out  &  coming  home)  except  the  Neck. 
December  26. — Col°  Humphreys,  the  Gentlemen  of  the  family  &  myself 


1787]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  97 

/ 

went  out  with  the  hounds  but  found  nothing,  tho  much  ground  was  gone 
over.  December  28. — "Went  out  with  the  hounds  to  day — took  the  drag  of  a 
fox  within  my  Muddy  hole  Inclosures,  and  found  him  in  Stiths  field  (lately 
Herberts)  run  him  hard  about  half  an  hour — came  to  a  cold  drag  &  then, 
lost  him." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  29. — Rid  (the  hollidays 
being  end)  to  the  Plantations  at  the  Perry,  Frenchs,  Dogue 
Run,  and  Muddy  hole." — Washington's  Diary. 


1788. 


TUESDAY,  JANUARY  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you, 
that  there  is  the  greatest  prospect  of  its  [the  Constitution] 
being  adopted  by  the  people.  It  has  its  opponents,  as  any 
system  formed  by  the  wisdom  of  man  would  undoubtedly 
have ;  but  they  bear  but  a  small  proportion  to  its  friends, 
and  differ  among  themselves  in  their  objections.  Pennsyl 
vania,  Delaware,  and  New  Jersey  have  already  decided  in 
its  favor,  the  first  by  a  majority  of  two  to  one,  and  the  two 
last  unanimously." — Washington  to  William  Gordon. 

The  National  Constitution  was  ratified  by  the  different  States  in  the  fol 
lowing  order:  Delaware,  December  7,  1787;  Pennsylvania,  December  12; 
New  Jersey,  December  18  ;  Georgia,  January  2,  1788  ;  Connecticut,  January 
9;  Massachusetts,  February  6;  Maryland,  April  28;  South  Carolina,  May 
23 ;  New  Hampshire,  June  21 ;  Virginia,  June  25 ;  New  York,  July  26 ; 
North  Carolina,  November  21,  1789;  Khode  Island,  May  29,  1790. 

SATURDAY,  JANUARY  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  January  5. — About  Eight  oclock  in 
the  evening  we  were  alarmed,  and  the  house  a  good  deal 
endangered  by  the  soot  of  one  of  the  Chimneys  taking  fire 
&  burning  furiously,  discharging  great  flakes  of  fire  on  the 
Roof  but  happily  by  having  aid  at  hand  and  proper  exertion 
no  damage  ensued." —  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  JANUARY  8. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  There  are  some  things  in  the  new 
form,  I  will  readily  acknowledge,  which  never  did,  and  I 
am  persuaded  never  will,  obtain  my  cordial  approbation; 
but  I  did  then  conceive,  and  do  now  most  firmly  believe, 
that  in  the  aggregate  it  is  the  best  constitution  that  can  be 

98 


1788]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  99 

obtained  at  this  epoch,  and  that  this,  or  a  dissolution  of  the 
Union,  awaits  our  choice,  and  is  the  only  alternative  before 
us.  Thus  believing,  I  had  not,  nor  have  I  now,  any  hesita 
tion  in  deciding  on  which  to  lean." — Washington  to  Edmund 
Randolph. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  9. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  January  9. — Col°  [Edward]  Car- 
rington  came  here  to  Dinner — I  continued  at  home  all 
day." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  January  10. — Col°  Carrington  left  this  after  breakfast  (on  my  horses)  for 
Colchester  ;  to  meet  the  Stage. " —  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  Perceiving  that  the  Federalist,  under 
the  signature  of  PUBLIUS,  is  about  to  be  republished,  I 
would  thank  you  to  forward  to  me  three  or  four  copies,  one 
of  which  to  be  bound,  and  inform  me  of  the  cost." — Wash 
ington  to  James  Madison,  at  New  York. 


The  "  Federalist,"  a  collection  of  essays  written  in  favor  of  the  new  Con 
stitution  by  James  Madison,  John  Jay,  and  Alexander  Hamilton,  under 
the  signature  of  PUBLIUS,  was  first  published  in  book  form  at  New  York  in 
May,  1788,  in  two  12mo  volumes.  Only  one  copy  of  the  book  is  included 
in  the  inventory  of  the  library  at  Mount  Vernon,  made  after  the  death  of 
Washington.  It  was  valued  at  one  dollar  and  a  half.  These  volumes, 
handsomely  bound,  were  sold  at  Philadelphia  in  November,  1876,  for  one 
hundred  dollars,  and  resold  February,  1891,  in  the  same  city,  for  nineteen 
hundred  dollars. 

Under  date  of  August  28,  1788,  Washington  wrote  to  Alexander  Hamil 
ton,  "  As  the  perusal  of  the  political  papers  under  the  signature  of  PUBLIUS 
has  afforded  me  great  satisfaction,  I  shall  certainly  consider  them  as  claiming 
a  most  distinguished  place  in  my  library.  I  have  read  every  performance, 
which  has  been  printed  on  one  side  and  the  other  of  the  great  question  lately 
agitated,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  obtain  them ;  and,  without  an  un 
meaning  compliment,  I  will  say,  that  I  have  seen  no  other  so  well  calculated, 
in  my  judgment,  to  produce  conviction  on  an  unbiassed  mind,  as  the  produc 
tion  of  your  triumvirate. ' ' 


100  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1788 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  13. 

At  Mount  Vernoii :  "  February  13. — The  Marq"  de  Chap- 
pedelaine  (introduced  by  letters  from  Gen1  Knox,  Mr  Bing- 
ham  &ca)  Captn  Enew  (a  British  Officer)  Col°  Fitzgerald, 
Mr  Hunter,  Mr  Nelson  &  Mr  Ingraham  came  here  to  Dinner 
— all  of  whom  returned  [to  Alexandria]  after  it  except  the 
last." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  February  14. — On  my  return  from  Hiding  [to  the  plantations],  I  found 
the  Marq8  de  Chappedelaine  and  Docter  Lee  here — both  of  whom  stayed  all 
Night.  February  15. — Let  out  a  Fox  (which  had  been  taken  alive  some 
days  ago)  and  after  chasing  it  an  hour  lost  it.  The  Marquis  de  Chappe 
delaine  &  Mr  Ingraham  returned  to  Alexandria  after  Dinner." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

FKIDAY,  MARCH  14. 

At  Alexandria :  "  March  14. — Went  with  M™  Washington 
to  Alexandria — Visited  Captn  Conway  Doct*  Craik,  Col" 
Sam1  Hanson,  Mr  Murray,  &  Mr  Porter  with  the  last  of 
whom  we  dined — returned  in  the  Even." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  March  17. — "Went  up  [to  Alexandria]  (accompanied  by  Col"  Humphreys) 
to  the  Election  of  Delegates  to  the  Convention  of  this  State  (for  the  purpose 
of  considering  the  New  form  of  Governm*  which  has  been  recommended  to 
the  United  States) ;  When  Docf  Stuart  and  Col°  [Charles]  Simms  were 
chosen  with  out  opposition— Dined  at  Col°  Fitzgeralds  and  returned  in  the 
Evening. ' ' —  Washington 's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  MARCH  18. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "March  18. — Mr  Madison  on  his  way 
from  New  York  to  Orange  [County]  came  in  before  dinner 
and  stayed  all  Night.  March  20. — Mr  Madison  (in  my  Car 
riage)  went  after  breakfast  to  Colchester  to  fall  in  with  the 
Stage." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  APRIL  6. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  April  6. — Sent  my  two  Jackasses 
to  the  Election  at  Marlborough  in  Maryld  that  they  might 
be  seen." — Washington's  Diary. 


1788]          WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  101 

TUESDAY,  APKIL  8. 

At  Abingdon :  "  April  8. — About  10  oclock,  in  company 
with  Col°  Humphreys,  M™  Washington,  Harriott  Washing 
ton  *  and  Washington  Custis  I  set  of  for  Abingdon — where 
we  dined  and  stayed  all  Night.  April  9. — Dined  at  Abing 
don  and  returned  home  in  the  evening — all,  except  Harriot 
Washington." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  APKIL  13. 

At  Alexandria :  "  April  13. — Went  to  Church  at  Alex 
andria  accompanied  by  Col°  Humphreys  Mr  Lear,  &  Wash 
ington  Custis — brought  Hariot  Washington  home  with  us 
who  had  been  left  at  Abingdon  &  came  to  Church  with  Mr 
Stuart." — Washington's  Diary. 

At  Alexandria,  Washington  attended  Christ  Church  (Protestant  Episco 
pal),  erected  in  1773,  and  still  standing,  the  present  rector  being  the  Eev. 
Berryman  Green.  The  Rev.  David  Griffith,  chaplain  of  the  Third  Virginia 
Regiment  in  the  Revolution,  and  who  was  a  frequent  visitor  at  Mount 
Vernon,  officiated  from  1780  until  his  decease  in  1789.  Dr.  Griffith  was 
succeeded  by  Bryan  Fairfax,  brother  of  George  William  Fairfax,  of  "  Bel- 
voir,"  who  served  from  1790  to  1792.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Davis,  toward 
whose  salary  Washington  made  an  annual  subscription  of  ten  pounds,  and 
who  officiated  at  his  funeral,  succeeded  Mr.  Fairfax.  The  church  owns  a 
Bible,  presented  to  it  by  George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  which  formerly 
belonged  to  General  Washington. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  21. 

At  Alexandria :  "  April  21. — Went  to  Alexandria  to  the 
Election  of  a  Senator  for  the  district  and  delegates  for  the 
County  in  the  General  Assembly — when  Mr  Pope  was 
chosen  for  the  first  and  Mr  Eoger  West,  and  Doctr  Stuart 
for  the  latter — Dined  at  Doctr  Cr1"  and  came  home  in  the 
evening." —  Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  28. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  All  the  public  attention  has  been, 
for  many  months  past,  engrossed  by  a  new  constitution.  It 

*  The  youngest  child  of  Samuel  Washington,  brother  of  the  General,  who 
died  in  1781.  She  married  (July  4,  1796)  Andrew  Parks,  of  Baltimore. 


102  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1788 

has  met  with  some  opposition  from  men  of  abilities,  but  it 
has  been  much  more  ably  advocated.  Six  States  have  ac 
cepted  it.  The  opinion  is,  that  Maryland  and  South  Caro 
lina  will  soon  do  the  same.  One  more  State  only  will  be 
wanting  to  put  the  government  into  execution." — Washing 
ton  to  Count  de  Rochambeau. 

According  to  the  provisions  of  Article  VII.,  the  ratification  of  the  conven 
tions  of  nine  States  was  requisite  for  the  establishment  of  the  Constitution 
between  the  States  so  ratifying  the  same.  Maryland  accepted  it  on  the  day 
the  above-quoted  letter  was  written,  South  Carolina  on  May  23,  and  New 
Hampshire,  the  ninth  State,  on  June  21. 

WEDNESDAY,  APRIL  30. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Influenced  by  a  heartfelt  desire  to 
promote  the  cause  of  science  in  general,  and  the  prosperity 
of  the  College  of  William  and  Mary  in  particular,  I  accept 
the  office  of  chancellor  in  the  same ;  and  request  you  will 
be  pleased  to  give  official  notice  thereof  to  the  learned 
body,  who  have  thought  proper  to  honor  me  with  the  ap 
pointment." —  Washington  to  Samuel  Griffin. 

THUKSDAY,  MAY  15. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  May  15. — Visited  all  the  Plantations 
— and  the  Brick  yard — where  a  small  kiln  of  Brick  were 
forming  to  Burn." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATUKDAY,  MAY  17. 

At  Mount  Veruon :  "  May  17. — Mra  [Robert]  Morris,  Miss 
Morris  and  her  two  Sons  [Robert  and  Thomas]  (lately  ar 
rived  from  Europe)  came  here  about  11  Oclk." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

"  May  18. — About  one  oclock,  Col°  Andrew  Lewis  of  Bottetout  came  in 
— dined,  &  returned  to  Alexandria  in  the  afternoon.  May  20. — Rid  in  com 
pany  with  Mrs  Morris,  M"  Washington,  the  two  Mr  Morris's  &  Col°  Hum 
phreys  to  my  Mill,  and  returned  home  thro'  French3  &  the  Ferry  Plantations 
&  by  the  Brick  yard.  May  22. — M™  Morris  having  (by  the  Stage  of  yester 
day)  Received  a  request  from  Mr  Morris  to  proceed  to  Richmond,  set  off  for 
that  place  abl  9  o'clock  this  Morning,  with  her  two  Sons  &  daughter. — Col° 


1788]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  103 

Humphreys  &  myself  accompanied  her  to  Colchester,  &  returned  to  dinner." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  MAY  31. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon :  "May  31. — After  an  early  dinner, 
in  company  with  Col°  Humphreys,  I  set  out  for  a  meeting 
of  the  Directors  of  the  Potomack  Company  to  be  held  at 
the  Falls  of  Shenandoah  on  Monday  next — reached  Mr 
Fairfax's  about  an  hour  by  Sun,  who  with  his  Lady  were 
at  Alexandria ;  but  a  cloud  which  threatened  rain,  induced 
us  notwithstanding  to  remain  there  all  night." — Washing- 
toil's  Diary. 

"June  1. — About  Sunrise,  we  set  out  for  the  Great  Falls,  where  having 
met  Mr  Smith  (the  assistant  Manager  who  resides  at  the  works  at  the  Seneca 
falls)  we  examined  the  Canal,  banks  and  other  operations  at  this  place  .  .  . 
from  hence  we  proceeded  by  a  small  cut,  &  wall  About  a  mile  higher  up  the 
Kiver  to  the  Seneca  falls.  ...  At  this  place  we  breakfasted,  and  in  Com 
pany  with  Mr  Smith  continued  our  journey — Dined  at  Leesburgh — &  lodged 
at  Mr  Jn°  Houghs.  June  2. — About  5  oclock,  after  an  early  breakfast,  we 
set  off,  pilotted  by  Mr  Hugh  [?  Hough]  thro'  by  Koads,  over  the  short  hills 
— by  the  House  &  Mill  of  one  Belt  for  the  M°  of  Shenandoah  where  we 
arrived  partly  by  a  good  &  partly  by  a  rugged  Koad  at  half  after  eight 
oclock — distance  about  12  Miles— Soon  after  came  Govr  Johnson,  and  about 
10  oclock  Govr  Lee  &  Col°  Gilpin  arrived — "We  then,  together  crossed  the 
Kiver,  walked  up  to  the  head  of  the  Canal  on  the  Maryland  side  &  viewed 
all  the  Works.  .  .  .  After  dinner  the  board  set.  .  .  .  June  3. — Having  ac 
complished  all  the  business  that  came  before  the  board  by  10  oclock — the 
members  seperated — and  I  (Col°  Humphreys  having  returned  the  day  before) 
went  to  my  Brothers  [Charles]  about  eight  miles  off — dined  there — and  con 
tinued  on  in  the  Afternoon  to  Colonel  Warner  Washington's  where  I  spent 
the  evening.  June  4. — About  7  o'clock  I  left  this  place,  Fairfield,  bated  at 
a  small  Tavern  (Bacon  fort)  15  Miles  distant — dined  at  the  Tavern  of  one 
Lacey  14  Miles  further  and  lodged  at  Newgate  16  Miles  lower  down." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  JUNE  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  June  5. — After  an  early  breakfast  I 
continued  my  journey  by  the  upper  and  lower  churches  of 
this  Parish  [Truro]  &  passing  through  my  Plantations  at 
Dogue  Run,  Freuchs,  and  the  Ferry — and  the  New  Barn  I 


104  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1788 

reached  home  about  Noon  in  about  28  Miles  riding  where 
I  found  Col°  Humphreys  who  had  just  got  in  before  me 
from  Abingdon." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  9. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  June  9. — Captn  [Joshua]  Barney,  in 
the  Miniature  Ship  Federalist — as  a  present  from  the  Mer 
chants  of  Baltimore  to  me  arrived  here  to  Breakfast  with 
her  and  stayed  all  day  &  Night." — Washington's  Diary. 

The  citizens  of  Baltimore  celebrated  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  in 
Maryland  by  a  procession  in  which  a  small  boat  fifteen  feet  in  length,  com 
pletely  rigged  and  perfectly  equipped  as  a  ship,  called  "  The  Federalist,"  was 
a  conspicuous  feature.  It  was  mounted  on  wheels  and  drawn  by  four 
horses.  Captain  Barney  commanded  the  ship.  After  the  pageant  was 
over,  it  was  resolved  to  present  the  ship  to  General  Washington,  in  the 
name  of  the  merchants  and  ship-owners  of  Baltimore.  It  was  launched  and 
navigated  by  Captain  Barney  down  the  Chesapeake  Bay  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Potomac,  and  thence  up  the  river  to  Mount  Vernon.  "  The  Federalist"  was 
driven  from  her  moorings  on  the  night  of  July  23  by  a  high  northeast  wind, 
and  sunk. 

TUESDAY,  JUNE  10. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon :  "  June  10. — Between  9  and  10 
Oclock  set  out  for  Fredericksburgh,  accompanied  by  Mre 
Washington,  on  a  visit  to  my  Mother — Made  a  visit  to  Mr 
&  Mrs  Thompson  in  Colchester — &  reached  Col°  [Thomas] 
Blackburns  to  dinner,  where  we  lodged — he  was  from 
home." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  June  11. — About  Sun  rise  we  continued  our  journey — breakfasted  at 
Stafford  Court  House  and  intended  to  have  dined  at  Mr  Fitzhugbs  of  Chat 
ham  but  he  and  Lady  being  from  home  we  proceeded  to  Fredericksburgh — 
alighted  at  my  Mothers  and  sent  the  Carriage  &  horses  to  my  Sister  Lewis's 
— where  we  dined  and  lodged — As  we  also  did  the  next  day  [June  12],  the 
first  in  company  with  Mr  Fitzhugh,  Col°  Carter  &  Col°  Willis  and  their 
Ladies,  and  Gen1  Weedon — The  day  following  (Friday)  we  dined  in  a  large 
Company  at  Mansfield  (Mr  Man  Page's) — on  Saturday  we  visited  Gen1 
Spots  woods  dined  there  &  returned  in  the  Evening  to  My  Sisters." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 


1788]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  105 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  15. 

At  Fredericksburg :  "  June  15. — On  Sunday  we  went  to 
Church  [St.  George's] — the  Congregation  heing  alarmed 
(without  cause)  and  suppos8  the  Gallery  at  the  N°  End  was 
ahout  to  fall,  were  thrown  into  the  utmost  confusion  ;  and 
in  the  precipitate  Retreat  to  the  doors  many  got  hurt — 
Dined  in  a  large  Company  at  Col°  Willis's — Where,  taking 
leave  of  my  friends,  we  re-crossed  the  River,  and  spent  the 
evening  at  Chatham." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  June  16. — Before  five  o'clock  we  left  it  [Chatham] — travelled  to  Dum 
fries  to  breakfast — and  reached  home  to  a  late  dinner  and  found  that  Captu 
Barney  had  left  it  about  half  an  hour  before  for  Alexandria  to  proceed  in 
the  Stage  of  Tomorrow  for  Baltimore." — Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  JUNE  18. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  We  have  had  a  backward  spring 
and  summer,  with  more  rainy  and  cloudy  weather  than 
almost  ever  has  been  known ;  still  the  appearance  of  crops 
in  some  parts  of  the  country  is  favorable,  as  we  may  gen 
erally  expect  will  be  the  case,  from  the  difference  of  soil 
and  variety  of  climate  in  so  extensive  a  region ;  insomuch 
that  I  hope,  some  day  or  other,  we  shall  become  a  store 
house  and  granary  for  the  world." — Washington  to  the  Mar 
quis  de  Lafayette. 

SATUKDAY,  JUNE  28. 

At  Alexandria:  "June  28. — The  Inhabitants  of  Alexan 
dria  having  received  the  News  of  the  Ratification  of  the 
proposed  Constitution  by  this  State,  and  that  of  New 
Hampshire — and  having  determined  on  public  Rejoicings, 
part  of  which  to  be  in  a  dinner,  to  which  this  family  was 
envited  Col°  Humphreys  my  Nephew  G.  A.  Washington  & 
myself  went  up  to  it  and  returned  in  the  Afternoon." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  June  28. — Thus  the  citizens  of  Alexandria,  when  convened,  constituted 
the  first  public  company  in  America,  which  had  the  pleasure  of  pouring  a 


106  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1788 

libation  to  the  prosperity  of  the  ten  States,  that  had  actually  adopted  the 
general  government.  The  day  itself  is  memorable  for  more  reasons  than 
one.  It  was  recollected,  that  this  day  is  the  anniversary  of  the  battles  of 
Sullivan's  Island  and  Monmouth.  I  have  just  returned  from  assisting  at 
the  entertainment." — Washington  to  Charles  Cotesworth  Pinckncy. 

FRIDAY,  JULY  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "July  4. — In  the  Afternoon,  Mr 
Madison  and  Doctr  Stuart,  with  a  Son  of  Mr  Willm  Lee 
arrived  from  Richmond.  July  5. — I  remained  at  home  all 
day  with  Mr  Madison.  July  7. — After  dinner — Mr  Madison 
and  the  Son  of  Mr  Lee  went  (in  my  Carriage)  to  Alexandria 
in  order  to  proceed  on  to  New  York  in  the  Stage  tomor 
row." —  Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  9. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  July  9. — A  Captn  Gregory  (a  french 
Gentlemn  who  served  in  the  American  Navy  last  War  & 
now  in  the  Service  of  Rob  Morris  Esqr)  came  here  by 
Water  from  Dumfries — Dined,  Supped  and  returned." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  JULY  12. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  July  12.— To  a  late  Breakfast  Mr 
&  Mra  Rob*  Morris,  their  two  Sons  &  Daughter  and  Mr 
Gouvr  Morris  came." — Washington's  Diary. 

"July  15. — About  11  o'clock  Mr>  Washington  &  myself  accompanied  Mr 
M"  Morris  &c.  as  far  as  Alexandria  on  their  return  to  Philadelphia — We 
all  dined  (in  a  large  Company)  at  Mr  Willm  Hunters  ;  after  which  Mr  Morris 
&  his  family  proceeded  and  M"  Washington,  Col°  Humphreys  &  myself 
retd. " — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  20. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  You  will  permit  me  to  say,  that  a 
greater  drama  is  now  acting  on  this  theatre,  than  has  here 
tofore  been  brought  on  the  American  stage,  or  any  other  in 
the  world.  "We  exhibit  at  present  the  novel  and  astonish 
ing  spectacle  of  a  whole  people  deliberating  calmly  on  what 


1788]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  107 

form  of  government  will  be  most  conducive  to  their  happi 
ness  ;  and  deciding  with  an  unexpected  degree  of  unanimity 
in  favor  of  a  system,  which  they  conceive  calculated  to 
answer  the  purpose." —  Washington  to  Sir  Edward  Newenham. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  July  29. — A  Mr  Vender  Kemp — a 
Dutch  Gentn  who  had  suffered  by  the  troubles  in  Holland 
and  who  was  introduced  to  me  by  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette 
came  here  to  Dinner.  July  30. — Mr  Vender  Kemp  re 
turned." —  Washington's  Diary. 

Francis  Adrian  Vander  Kemp,  at  one  time  a  minister  of  the  Mennonite 
congregation  at  Leyden,  and  who  subsequently  had  a  command  in  the  army 
of  Holland,  arrived  with  his  family  at  New  York,  May  4,  1788.  The  fol 
lowing  reference  to  his  visit  at  Mount  Vernon,  taken  from  his  manuscript 
journal,  is  furnished  by  the  Rev.  Roswell  Randall  Hoes  :  "  I  arrived  at  last 
at  Mount  Vernon,  where  simplicity  and  order,  unadorned  grandeur  and 
dignity  had  taken  up  their  abode.  .  .  .  There  seemed  to  me,  to  skulk  some 
what  of  a  repulsive  coldness — not  congenial  with  my  mind,  under  a  courteous 
demeanor ;  and  I  was  infinitely  better  pleased  by  the  unassuming  modest 
gentleness  of  the  Lady,  than  with  the  conscious  superiority  of  her  Consort. 
There  was  a  chosen  Society — Col.  Humphrey  was  there.  I  was  charmed 
with  his  manners — his  conversation ;  He  knew,  how  to  please — he  knew, 
how  to  captivate,  when  he  deemed  it  worth." 

Mr.  Vander  Kemp  first  settled  at  Esopus  (now  Kingston)  on  the  Hudson 
River,  and  finally  at  Trenton,  New  York,  originally  called  Oldenbarneveld. 
On  February  22,  1800,  he  delivered  at  Oldenbarneveld  a  eulogy  on  Wash 
ington,  which  was  published  at  Amsterdam,  the  same  year,  under  the  title, 
"  Lofrede  op  George  Washington,  te  Oldenbarneveld,  den  22  sten  van 
Sprokkelmaand,  1800  in  Oneida  District,  Staat  van  New  York,  in  de  En- 
gelsche  taale  uitgesprooken,  door  FRANC.  ADR.  VANDER  KEMP."  8vo, 
pp.  30. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  4. 

At  Alexandria :  "  August  4. — Went  up  to  Alexandria  to 
a  meeting  of  the  Potomack  Company;  the  business  of 
which  was  finished  about  Sun  down — but  matters  which 
came  more  properly  before  the  Directors  obliged  me  to  stay 
in  Town  all  Night — Dined  at  Wises — and  lodged  at  Col° 
Fitzgeralds.  August  5. — The  business  before  the  Board  of 


108  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE   REVOLUTION.          [1788 

Directors  detaining  till  near  two  oclock  (I  dined  at  Col° 
Fitzgeralds)  and  returned  home  in  the  afternV — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  12. 

At  Warburton,  Maryland :  "  August  12. — The  whole 
family,  accompanied  by  Col°  Humphreys  and  Mr  [George] 
Calvert  crossed  the  River — dined  with  Mr.  Geo :  Digges — 
&  returned  in  the  Evening." — Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  20. 

At  Alexandria :  "  August  20. — Went  up  to  Alexandria 
with  M™  Washington — dined  at  Mr  Fendalls  and  returned 
in  the  evening." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  AUGUST  28. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  On  the  delicate  subject  [the  Presi 
dency]  with  which  you  conclude  your  letter,  I  can  say 
nothing,  because  the  event  alluded  to  may  never  happen, 
and  because,  in  case  it  should  occur,  it  would  be  a  point  of 
prudence  to  defer  forming  one's  ultimate  and  irrevocable 
decision,  so  long  as  new  data  might  be  afforded  for  one  to 
act  with  the  greater  wisdom  and  propriety." —  Washington 
to  Alexander  Hamilton. 

From  Colonel  Hamilton's  Letter. — "I  take  it  for  granted,  Sir,  you  have 
concluded  to  comply  with  what  will,  no  doubt,  be  the  general  call  of  your 
country  in  relation  to  the  new  government.  You  will  permit  me  to  say, 
that  it  is  indispensable  you  should  lend  yourself  to  its  first  operations.  It  is 
to  little  purpose  to  have  introduced  a  system  if  the  weightiest  influence  is  not 
given  to  its  firm  establishment  in  the  outset." — August  13. 

THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  11. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  September  11. — M™  Plater  and  her 
two  daughters,  and  Mr  George  Digges  and  his  Sister  came 
here  to  dinner  and  stayed  all  Night." — Washington's  Diary. 

"September  13.— Rid  with  Mrs  Plater  and  Mrs  Washington  to  the  Mill 
and  New  Barn.  Col°  [George]  Plater,  Mr  Hall  &  a  Mr  Mathews  came  here 


1788]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  109 

(from  Mr  Digges's)  just  after  we  had  dined — stayed  all  Night.  September 
14. — Col°  Plater,  his  lady  &  daughters  Mr  Digges  &  his  Sister ;  and  Mr. 
Hall ;  and  Mr  Mathews  went  away  after  breakfast." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  am  glad  Congress  have  at  last 
decided  upon  an  ordinance  for  carrying  the  new  govern 
ment  into  execution." — Washington  to  Henry  Lee. 

"  September  13,  1788. — Whereas,  the  convention  assembled  in  Philadel 
phia,  pursuant  to  the  resolution  of  Congress,  of  the  21st  of  February,  1787, 
did.  on  the  17th  of  September,  in  the  same  year,  report  to  the  United  States, 
in  Congress  assembled,  a  constitution  for  the  people  of  the  United  States ; 
whereupon,  Congress,  on  the  28th  of  the  same  September,  did  resolve  unani 
mously,  '  That  the  said  report,  with  the  resolutions  and  letter  accompanying 
the  same,  be  transmitted  to  the  several  legislatures,  in  order  to  be  submitted 
to  a  convention  of  delegates,  chosen  in  each  state  by  the  people  thereof,  in 
conformity  of  the  resolves  of  the  convention,  made  and  provided  in  that 
case;'  And  whereas  the  constitution  so  reported  by  the  convention,  and  by 
Congress  transmitted  to  the  several  legislatures,  has  been  ratified  in  the 
manner  therein  declared  to  be  sufficient  for  the  establishment  of  the  same, 
and  such  ratifications,  duly  authenticated,  have  been  received  by  Congress, 
and  are  filed  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  ;  therefore, — 

' '  Resolved,  That  the  first  Wednesday  in  January  next  be  the  day  for 
appointing  electors  in  the  several  states,  which,  before  the  said  day  shall 
have  ratified  the  said  constitution  ;  that  the  first  Wednesday  in  February 
next,  be  the  day  for  the  electors  to  assemble  in  their  respective  states,  and 
vote  for  a  president ;  and  that  the  first  Wednesday  in  March  next,  be  the 
time,  and  the  present  seat  of  Congress  [New  York]  the  place  for  commencing 
proceedings  under  the  said  constitution." — Journal  of  Congress. 

FRIDAY,  OCTOBER  3. 

At  Abingdon :  "  October  3. — Went  with  M™  Washington 
to  Abingdon,  to  visit  MM  Stuart  who  was  sick.  October  4. 
— At  Abingdon  still.  October  5. — Returned  home  after 
breakfast — and  reached  it  about  11  ock." — Washington's 
Diary. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  21. 

At  Alexandria :  "  October  21. — Went  up  to  Alexandria  to 
move  the  Court  to  appoint  Commissioners  to  settle  the 
AcctB  of  the  Administration  of  Col°  Tho8  Colvills  Estate  to 


110  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1788 

whose  "Will  I  was  an  Executor.  ...  I  dined  at  Mr  Fendalls 
&  came  home  in  the  Afternoon." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBEK  26. 

At  Pohick  Church :  "  October  26.  —  Went  to  Pohick 
Church  and  returned  home  to  dinner — found  Dr  Stuart  at 
M*  Vernon  who  dined  there  &  returned  home  afterwards." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  31. — Finished  pruning  the  "Weeping  Willows  &  other  Trees  in 
the  Serpentine  walks  front  of  the  House  and  was  on  the  point  of  Biding 
when  Mr  William  Fitzhugh  Junr  (of  Maryland)  came  in,  about  10  o'clock 
— after  whom  Col°  Henry  Lee  arrived  both  stay'd  dinner  and  the  latter  all 
night. — Bemained  at  home  all  day." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  2. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  November  2. — After  dinner  word 
was  bro*  from  Alexandria  that  the  Minister  of  France  was 
arrived  there  and  intended  down  here  to  dinner — Accord 
ingly,  a  little  before  Sun  setting,  he  (the  Count  de  Mous- 
tiers)  *  his  Sister.the  Marchioness  de  Bretan  [Brehan] — the 
Marquis  her  Son  and  Mr  du  Fonts  f  came  in." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

"November  3. — Bemained  at  home  all  day. — Col°  Fitzgerald  &  Doctr. 
Craik  came  down  to  dinner — &  with  the  copy  of  an  address  (which  the 
Citizens  of  Alexandria  meant  to  present  to  the  Minister)  waited  on  him  to 
know  when  he  would  receive  it.  Mr  Lear  went  to  Alexandria  to  invite 
some  of  the  Gentlemen  and  Ladies  of  the  Town  to  dine  with  the  Count  & 
Marchioness  here  tomorrow.  November  4. — Mr  Herbert  &  his  Lady,  Mr 
Potts  &  his  Lady,  Mr  Ludwell  Lee  &  his  Lady,  and  Miss  Nancy  Craik 
came  here  to  dinner  and  returned  afterward." — Washington's  Diary. 

*  Eleonor-FranQois-Elie  Comte  de  Moustier  succeeded  the  Chevalier  de  la 
Luzerne  as  Minister  from  France  to  the  United  States  in  1787.  He  returned 
to  France  in  October,  1789. 

f  Victor  Marie  Du  Pont,  son  of  Pierre  Samuel  Du  Pont  de  Nemours,  and 
elder  brother  of  Eleuthere  Irenee  Du  Pont,  who  established  the  well-known 
powder-mills  on  the  Brandywine,  near  Wilmington,  Delaware,  in  1802. 


1788]          WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  Ill 

WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBEK  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  5. — The  Minister  &  Ma 
dame  de  Bretan  expressing  a  desire  to  Walk  to  the  New 
Barn — we  accordingly  did  so — and  from  thence  through 
Frenchs  Plantation  to  My  Mill  and  from  thence  home  corn- 
pleating  a  tour  of  at  least  Seven  Miles.  Previous  to  this, 
in  'the  Morning  before  breakfast  I  rid  to  the  Ferry,  Frenchs, 
D :  Run  and  Muddy  hole  Plantations." —  Washington's  Diary. 

'"  November  6. — About  Nine  Oclock  the  Minister  of  France,  the  Mar 
chioness  de  Bretan  &  their  Suit  left  this  on  their  Keturn  for  New  York  I 
accompanied  them  as  far  as  Alexandria  &  returned  home  to  dinner — the 
Minister  proceeded  to  George  Town  after  having  received  an  Address  from 
the  Citizens  of  the  Corporation." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  NOVEMBEE  8. 

At  Alexandria :  "  November  8. — Went  up  to  Alexandria, 
agreeably  to  a  summons,  to  give  testimony  in  the  Suit  de 
fending  between  the  Estate  of  Mr  Custis  and  Mr  Rob*  Alex 
ander — Returned  by  the  New  Barn  which  had  got  about 
half  the  Rafters  up." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  November  10. — The  New  Barn  would  nearly  if  not  quite  have  the  Rafters 
up  to-day." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  11. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  11. — All  my  People,  ex 
cept  those  in  the  Neck  were  on  the  public  Roads  Repairing 
of  them  to  day — attended,  in  some  measure,  this  business 
myself — Mr  Lund  Washington — Overseer  of  the  Roads 
dined  here  to  day.  November  12. — The  force  of  yesterday 
was  employed  on  the  Road  to  day.  ...  I  rid  to  the  Repairs 
of  the  Road  and  to  my  New  Barn — the  Rafters  of  which 
were  all  raised  about  Noon — Mr  Lund  Washington  dined 
here  again  to  day." —  Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  14. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "November  14. — Doctr  [George]  Logan 
and  Lady  of  Phila*  and  a  Monsr of  Lyons  in  France 


112  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1788 

came  here  to  dinner  and  went  away  afterwards." —  Wash 
ington's  Diary. 


SATUKDAY,  NOVEMBER  15. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  15. — "Went  with  my  Com 
pass  and  finished  the  line  of  Stakes  from  Dogue  Run  (at 
the  Tumbling  dam)  to  Hunting  Ck;  for  a  Road  on  the 
border  of  my  land  adjoining  to  Col°  Masons — also  con 
nected  this  with  the  Road  leading  from  the  Gum  Spring  to 
Alexandria  and  from  the  former  run  the  courses  and  meas 
ured  the  distances  to  my  Mill  and  from  the  Mill  to  the 
Mansion  House. 

"  On  my  Return  home  in  the  Evening  I  found  Mr  War- 
ville  and  a  Mr  de  Saint  Tries  here — brought  down  by  Mr 
Porter  who  returned  again.  November  16. — Monsre  War- 
ville  and  Saint  Tres  returned  to  Alexandria  in  my  Chariot. 
November  17. — It  was  this  day  and  not  yesterday  that  Mr 
Warville  and  Mr  Staint  trees  returned  to  Alexandria." — 
Washington's  Diary. 


"  I  hastened  to  arrive  at  Mount  "Vernon,  the  seat  of  General  Washington, 
ten  miles  below  Alexandria  on  the  same  river.  On  this  rout  you  traverse 
a  considerable  wood,  and  after  having  passed  over  two  hills,  you  discover  a 
country  house  of  an  elegant  and  majestic  simplicity.  It  is  preceded  by  grass 
plats  ;  on  one  side  of  the  avenue  are  the  stables,  on  the  other  a  green-house, 
and  houses  for  a  number  of  negro  mechanics.  In  a  spacious  back  yard  are 
turkies,  geese,  and  other  poultry.  This  house  overlooks  the  Potowmack, 
enjoys  an  extensive  prospect,  has  a  vast  and  elevated  portico  on  the  front 
next  the  river,  and  a  convenient  distribution  of  the  apartments  within. 
The  General  came  home  in  the  evening,  fatigued  with  having  been  to  lay 
out  a  new  road  in  some  part  of  his  plantations.  You  have  often  heard  him 
compared  to  Cincinnatus  :  the  comparison  is  doubtless  just.  This  celebrated 
General  is  nothing  more  at  present  than  a  good  farmer,  constantly  occupied 
in  the  care  of  his  farm  and  the  improvement  of  cultivation.  He  has  lately 
built  a  barn,  one  hundred  feet  in  length  and  considerably  more  in  breadth, 
destined  to  receive  the  productions  of  his  farm,  and  to  shelter  his  cattle, 
horses,  asses,  and  mules.  It  is  built  on  a  plan  sent  him  by  that  famous 
English  farmer  Arthur  Young.  But  the  General  has  much  improved  the 
plan.  This  building  is  in  brick,  it  cost  but  three  hundred  pounds ;  I  am 


1788]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  113 

sure  in  France  it  would  have  cost  three  thousand  *  He  planted  this  year 
eleven  hundred  hushels  of  potatoes.  All  this  is  new  in  Virginia,  where 
they  know  not  the  use  of  barns,  and  where  they  lay  up  no  provisions  for 
their  cattle.  His  three  hundred  negroes  are  distributed  in  different  log 
houses,  in  different  parts  of  his  plantation,  which  in  this  neighbourhood 
consists  of  ten  thousand  acres.  Colonel  Humphreys,  that  poet  of  whom  I 
have  spoken,  assured  me  that  the  General  possesses,  in  different  parts  of  the 
country,  more  than  two  hundred  thousand  acres. 

"Everything  has  an  air  of  simplicity  in  his  house;  his  table  is  good,  but 
not  ostentatious ;  and  no  deviation  is  seen  from  regularity  and  domestic 
ceconomy.  Mrs.  Washington  superintends  the  whole,  and  joins  to  the 
qualities  of  an  excellent  house-wife,  the  simple  dignity  which  ought  to 
characterize  a  woman,  whose  husband  has  acted  the  greatest  part  on  the 
theatre  of  human  affairs ;  while  she  possesses  that  amenity,  and  manifests 
that  attention  to  strangers,  which  render  hospitality  so  charming.  The 
same  virtues  are  conspicuous  in  her  interesting  niece ;  but  unhappily  she 
appears  not  to  enjoy  good  health. 

"  M.  de  Chastellux  has  mingled  too  much  of  the  brilliant  in  his  portrait 
of  General  Washington.  His  eye  bespeaks  great  goodness  of  heart,  manly 
sense  marks  all  his  answers,  and  he  sometimes  animates  in  conversation,  but 
he  has  no  characteristic  features ;  which  renders  it  difficult  to  seize  him. 
He  announces  a  profound  discretion,  and  a  great  diffidence  in  himself;  but 
at  the  same  time,  an  unshaken  firmness  of  character,  when  once  he  has  made 
his  decision.  His  modesty  is  astonishing  to  a  Frenchman ;  he  speaks  of  the 
American  war,  and  of  his  victories,  as  of  things  in  which  he  had  no  direc 
tion." — J.  P.  BRISSOT  DE  WARVILLE,  Nouveau  Voyage  dans  les  Etats  Unis 
de  I'Amerique  Septentrionaie,  fait  en  1788,  Paris,  1791. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  20. 

At  Alexandria :  "  November  20. — Went  to  Alexandria  with 
M™  Washington — Dined  with  Col°  Henry  Lee  &  Lady  at 
Mr  Fendalls  and  returned  home  in  the  Evening — Found 
Doctr  La  Moyeur  here." —  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  2. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  The  expensive  manner  in  which  I 
live  (contrary  to  my  wishes,  but  really  unavoidable),  the  bad 

*  "  The  building  of  a  brick  barn  has  occupied  much  of  my  attention  this 
summer.  It  is  constructed  according  to  the  plan  you  had  the  goodness  to 
send  me ;  but  with  some  additions.  It  is  now,  I  believe,  the  largest  and 
most  convenient  one  in  this  country." — Washington  to  Arthur  Young, 
December  4,  1788. 

8 


114  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1788 

years  of  late,  and  my  consequent  short  crops,  have  occasioned 
me  to  run  in  debt,  and  to  feel  more  sensibly  the  want  of 
money  than  I  have  ever  done  at  any  period  of  my  whole 
life,  and  obliges  me  to  look  forward  to  every  source  from 
whence  I  have  a  right  to  expect  relief.  Under  these  circum 
stances  I  must  ask  you  what  prospect  I  have,  and  in  what 
time  (after  it  becomes  due)  I  may  expect  to  receive  the 
present  years  annuity." — Washington  to  David  Stuart. 

THUKSDAY,  DECEMBER  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  The  more  I  am  acquainted  with 
agricultural  affairs,  the  better  I  am  pleased  wTith  them ;  inso 
much,  that  I  can  no  where  find  so  great  satisfaction  as  in 
those  innocent  and  useful  pursuits.  In  indulging  these  feel 
ings,  I  am  led  to  reflect  how  much  more  delightful  to  an 
undebauched  mind  is  the  task  of  making  improvements  on 
the  earth,  than  all  the  vain  glory  which  can  be  acquired 
from  ravaging  it,  by  the  most  uninterrupted  career  of  con 
quests." —  Washington  to  Arthur  Young. 

"  I  have  a  prospect  of  introducing  into  this  country  a  very  excellent  race  of 
animals,  by  means  of  the  liberality  of  the  KING  of  Spain.  One  of  the  jacks 
which  he  was  pleased  to  present  to  me  (the  other  perished  at  sea)  is  about  15 
hands  high,  his  body  and  limbs  very  large  in  proportion  to  his  height;  and 
the  mules  which  I  have  had  from  him,  appear  to  be  extremely  well  formed 
for  service.  I  have  likewise  a  jack  and  two  jennetts  from  Malta,  of  a  very 
good  size,  which  the  Marquis  de  la  FAYETTE  sent  to  me.*  The  Spanish  jack 
seems  calculated  to  breed  for  heavy  slow  draught;  and  the  others  for  the 
saddle,  or  lighter  carriages.  From  these,  altogether,  I  hope  to  secure  a  race 
of  extraordinary  goodness,  which  will  stock  the  country." — Idem. 

FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  19. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "December  19. — Rid  to  the  Planta 
tions  at  the  Ferry  and  Frenchs — and  to  Dogue  Run  & 


*  The  jack  presented  by  Lafayette  was  called  the  Knight  of  Malta  ;  this 
jack  was  a  superb  animal,  black  in  color,  with  the  form  of  a  stag  and  the 
ferocity  of  a  tiger. 


1788]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  115 

Muddy  hole.  .  .  .  Mr  Madison  came  here  to  dinner. 
December  20. — Remained  at  home  with  Mr  Madison.  De 
cember  25. — Sent  Mr  Madison  after  breakfast  as  far  as  Col 
chester  in  my  Carriage." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  DECEMBEK  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  29. — Rid  to  the  Planta 
tions  at  the  Ferry  and  Frenchs — and  to  Dogue  Run  & 
Muddy  hole.  December  30. — Rid  into  the  !N"eck — and  to 
Muddy  hole  Plantations.  December  31. — Rid  to  the  Ferry 
&  Frenchs — and  to  Dogue  Run  and  Muddy  hole  Plan0." — 
Washington's  Diary. 


I789. 


THUKSDAY,  JANUARY  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  January  1. — Went  out  after  break 
fast  to  lay  of  or  rather  measure  an  old  field  which  is  intended 
to  be  added  to  Muddy  hole  Plantation — after  which  marked 
out  a  line  for  the  New  Road  across  from  the  Tu[m]bling 
Dam  to  little  Hunting  Creek  to  begin  post  and  Rail  fence 
on." —  Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  7. 

At  Alexandria :  "  January  7. — Went  up  to  the  Election 
of  an  Elector  (for  this  district)  of  President  &  Vice  Presi 
dent  when  the  Candidates  polled  for  being  Doctr  Stuart  and 
Col°  Blackburn  the  first  recd  216  votes  from  the  Freeholders 
of  this  County — and  the  second  16  Votes. — Dined  with  a 
large  company  on  Venisen  at  Pages  Tavn  and  came  home 
in  the  evening." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  JANUARY  18. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  The  first  wish  of  my  soul  is  to 
spend  the  evening  of  my  days  as  a  private  citizen  on  my 
farm ;  but,  if  circumstances,  which  are  not  yet  sufficiently 
unfolded  to  form  the  judgment  or  the  opinion  of  my  friends, 
will  not  allow  me  this  last  boon  of  temporal  happiness,  and 
I  should  once  more  be  led  into  the  walks  of  public  life,  it  is 
my  fixed  determination  to  enter  there,  not  only  unfettered 
by  promises,  but  even  unchargeable  with  creating  or  feed 
ing  the  expectation  of  any  man  living  for  my  assistance  to 
office." —  Washington  to  Samuel  Hanson. 

116 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  117 

SATURDAY,  JANUARY  24. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  January  24. — Went  into  the  Neck 
— measured  some  fields  there — and  laid  off  8  acres  for 
Tobacco." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  January  25. — Colonels  Fitzgerald,  Lee  &  Gilpin  dined  here,  and  returned 
to  Alexandria  in  the  evening.  January  28. — Major  Washington  set  out  for 
Berkley  to  see  his  Father  [Charles  Washington]  who  had  informed  him  of 
the  low  state  of  health  in  which  he  was." — Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  JANUARY  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  Nothing  but  harmony,  honesty, 
industry,  and  frugality  are  necessary  to  make  us  a  great 
and  happy  people.  Happily  the  present  posture  of  affairs, 
and  the  prevailing  disposition  of  my  countrymen,  promise 
to  cooperate  in  establishing  those  four  great  and  essential 
pillars  of  public  felicity."--  Washington  to  the  Marquis  de 
Lafayette. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  2. 

At  Alexandria :  "  February  2. — I  went  up  to  the  Election 
of  a  Representative  to  Congress  for  this  district.  Voted  for 
Richd  Bland  Lee  Esqr  dined  at  Colonel  Hooes  &  returned 
home  in  the  afternoon. 

"  On  my  way  home  met  Mr  George  Calvert  on  his  way  to 
Abingdon  with  the  Hounds  I  had  lent  him — viz.  Vulcan  & 
Venus  (From  France) — Ragman  &  two  other  dogs  (From 
England) — Dutchess  &  Doxey  (From  Philadelpa) — Tryal, 
Jupiter  &  Countess  (Descended  from  the  French  Hounds)." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  13. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  am  going  on  Monday  next  to 
visit  the  works  as  far  as  the  Seneca  Falls." —  Washington  to 
Thomas  Jefferson. 

WEDNESDAY,  MARCH  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  Never  till  within  these  two  years 
have  I  ever  experienced  the  want  of  money.  Short  crops, 


118  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

and  other  causes  not  entirely  within  my  control,  make  me 
feel  it  now  very  sensibly.  .  .  .  Under  this  statement  I  am 
inclined  to  do  what  I  never  expected  to  be  driven  to — that 
is,  to  borrow  money  on  interest.  Five  hundred  pounds 
would  enable  me  to  discharge  what  I  owe  in  Alexandria, 
etc. ;  and  to  leave  the  state  (if  it  shall  not  be  in  my  power 
to  remain  at  home  in  retirement)  without  doing  this  would 
be  exceedingly  disagreeable  to  me.  Having  thus  fully  and 
candidly  explained  myself,  permit  me  to  ask  if  it  is  in  your 
power  to  supply  me  with  the  above,  or  a  smaller  sum." — 
Washington  to  Captain  Richard  Conway. 

"  March  6. — I  am  much  obliged  by  your  assurance  of  money.  Mr  Lear 
waits  upon  you  for  it,  and  carries  a  bond,  drawn  in  the  manner  you  re 
quested.  .  .  .  Upon  collecting  my  accounts  by  Mr  Lear,  the  other  day,  it 
was  found  that  though  five  hundred  pounds  will  enable  me  to  discharge 
them,  yet  it  is  incompetent  to  this  and  the  other  purpose,  the  expenses  of 
my  journey  to  New  York,  if  I  go  thither.  If,  therefore,  you  could  add 
another  hundred  pounds  to  the  former  sum,  it  would  be  very  acceptable. 
Mr  Lear  is  provided  with  a  bond  for  this  sum  also." — Washington  to  Captain 
Richard  Conway. 

SATUKDAY,  MAKCH  7. 

At  Fredericksburg :  "  March  12. — On  Saturday  even 
ing  last  [March  7],  His  Excellency  General  Washington 
arrived  in  town  from  Mount  Vernon,  and  early  on  Monday 
morning  he  set  out  on  his  return.  The  object  of  his 
Excellency's  visit  was  probably  to  take  leave  of  his  aged 
mother,  sister,  and  friends,  previous  to  his  departure  for 
the  new  Congress,  over  the  councils  of  which,  the  united 
voice  of  America  has  called  him  to  preside." — Fredericks- 
burg  paper. 


This  was  the  last  visit  paid  by  Washington  to  his  mother.  She  died  on 
the  25th  day  of  August  following,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two.  The  following 
entry  in  his  cash-book  refers  to  this  visit :  "  March  11. — By  my  expenses  on 
a  visit  to  my  mother  at  Fredericksburg  £1.8.0.  By  Mrs  Mary  Washington 
advanced  her  6  Guineas." 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  119 

MONDAY,  MAKCH  9. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  will  therefore  declare  to  you,  that, 
if  it  should  be  my  inevitable  fate  to  administer  the  govern 
ment,  (for  Heaven  knows,  that  no  event  can  be  less  desired 
by  me,  and  that  no  earthly  consideration  short  of  so  generall 
a  call,  together  with  a  desire  to  reconcile  contending  parties 
as  far  as  in  me  lies,  could  again  bring  me  into  public  life,) 
I  will  go  to  the  chair  under  no  preengagement  of  any  kind 
or  nature  whatsoever.  But,  when  in  it,  I  will,  to  the  best 
of  my  judgment,  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  with  that 
impartiality  and  zeal  for  the  public  good,  which  ought 
never  to  suffer  connexions  of  blood  or  friendship  to  inter 
mingle  so  as  to  have  the  least  sway  on  decisions  of  a  public 
nature." — Washington  to  Benjamin  Harrison. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAKCH  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  With  very  great  sensibility  I  have 
received  the  honor  of  your  letter  dated  the  10th  instant, 
and  consider  the  kind  and  obliging  invitation  to  your 
house,  until  suitable  accommodations  can  be  provided  for 
the  President,  as  a  testimony  of  your  friendship  and  polite 
ness,  of  which  I  shall  ever  retain  a  grateful  sense.  But  if 
it  should  be  my  lot  (for  Heaven  knows  it  is  not  my  wish)  to 
appear  again  in  a  public  station,  I  shall  make  it  a  point  to 
take  hired  lodgings  or  rooms  in  a  tavern  until  some  house 
can  be  provided." —  Washington  to  George  Clinton,  at  New 
York. 

MONDAY,  MAKCH  30. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  I  have  been  favored  with  your  letter 
of  the  19th,  by  which  it  appears  that  a  quorum  of  Congress 
was  hardly  to  be  expected  before  the  beginning  of  the  next 
week.  As  this  delay  must  be  very  irksome  to  the  attend 
ing  members,  and  every  day's  continuance  of  it,  before  the 
government  is  in  operation,  will  be  more  sensibly  felt,  I 
am  resolved,  that  none  shall  proceed  from  me  that  can  well 


120  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

be  avoided,  after  notice  of  the  election  is  announced,  and 
therefore  I  take  the  liberty  of  requesting  the  favor  of  you 
to  engage  lodgings  for  me  previous  to  my  arrival. 

"  Mr  Lear,  who  has  lived  with  me  three  years  as  a  private 
secretary,  will  accompany  or  precede  me  in  the  stage ;  and 
Colonel  Humphreys  I  presume  will  be  of  my  party.  On 
the  subject  of  lodgings,  I  will  frankly  declare  to  you,  that 
I  mean  to  go  into  none  but  hired  ones." — Washington  to 
James  Madison,  at  New  York. 

The  day  appointed  for  the  assembling  of  Congress  was  the  4th  of  March, 
but  so  tardily  did  the  members  come  together  that  a  quorum  of  both  Houses 
was  not  formed  till  the  6th  of  April.  On  that  day,  in  the  presence  of  the 
Senate  and  House  of  Kepresentatives,  the  votes  were  opened  and  counted, 
when  Washington,  having  received  every  vote  of  the  sixty-nine  cast  by  the 
ten  States  *  which  took  part  in  the  election,  was  declared  President  of  the 
United  States.  John  Adams,  having  received  the  second  highest  number 
of  votes  (thirty-four),  was  declared  to  be  Vice-President.  He  was  installed 
in  the  chair  of  the  Senate  on  April  21. 

WEDNESDAY,  APEIL  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  In  confidence  I  tell  you,  (with  the 
world  it  would  obtain  little  credit)  that  my  movements  to 
the  chair  of  government  will  be  accompanied  by  feelings 
not  unlike  those  of  a  culprit,  who  is  going  to  the  place  of 
his  execution ;  so  unwilling  am  I,  in  the  evening  of  a  life 
nearly  consumed  in  public  cares,  to  quit  a  peaceful  abode 
for  an  ocean  of  difficulties,  without  that  competency  of 
political  skill,  abilities,  and  inclination,  which  are  necessary 
to  manage  the  helm.  I  am  sensible  that  I  am  embarking 
the  voice  of  the  people,  and  a  good  name  of  my  own,  on 
this  voyage;  but  what  returns  will  be  made  for  them, 
Heaven  alone  can  foretell.  Integrity  and  firmness  are  all  I 
can  promise." — Washington  to  General  Knox. 

*The  three  States  not  voting  were  New  York,  North  Carolina,  and  Khode 
Island,  New  York  losing  its  vote  in  consequence  of  a  disagreement  between 
the  two  branches  of  the  Legislature,  and  North  Carolina  and  Khode  Island 
not  having  as  yet  ratified  the  Constitution. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  121 

"April  10. — A  combination  of  circumstances  and  events  seems  to  have 
rendered  my  embarking  again  on  the  ocean  of  public  affairs  inevitable. 
How  opposite  this  is  to  my  own  desires  and  inclinations,  I  need  not  say. 
Those  who  know  me  are,  I  trust,  convinced  of  it.  For  the  rectitude  of  my 
intentions  I  appeal  to  the  great  Searcher  of  hearts  ;  and  if  I  have  any  knowl 
edge  of  myself  I  can  declare,  that  no  prospects  however  flattering,  no  per 
sonal  advantage  however  great,  no  desire  of  fame  however  easily  it  might  be 
acquired,  could  induce  me  to  quit  the  private  walks  of  life  at  my  age  and  in 
my  situation  ;  but  if,  by  any  exertion  or  services  of  mine,  my  country  can  be 
benefited,  I  shall  feel  more  amply  compensated  for  the  sacrifices  which  I 
make,  than  I  possibly  can  be  by  any  other  means." — Washington  to  Hector 
St. -John  de  Crevecoeur. 

TUESDAY,  APKIL  14. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your 
Official  communication  by  the  hand  of  Mr  Secretary 
Thompson,  about  one  o'clock  this  day.  Having  concluded 
to  obey  the  important  &  flattering  call  of  my  Country,  and 
having  been  impressed  with  an  idea  of  the  expediency  of 
my  being  with  Congress  at  as  early  a  period  as  possible ;  I 
propose  to  commence  my  journey  on  Thursday  morning 
which  will  be  the  day  after  to  morrow. "^-Washington  to 
John  Langdon.  '  -.' 

Mr.  Langdon  was  a  Senator  from  New  Hampshire,  and  when  the  Senate 
was  first  organized,  on  the  6th  of  April,  he  was  chosen  'President  of  that 
body  pro  te.mpore.  In  this  capacity  it  devolved  upon  him  to  officially  notify 
General  Washington  of  his  having  been  elected  President  of  the  United 
States.  Charles  Thomson,  who  had  been  since  1774  the  sole  Secretary  of 
Congress,  was  selected  to  bear  this  official  information  to  Mount  Vernon. 
He  left  New  York  on  Tuesday  morning,  April  7,  on  horseback.  The  letter 
was  as  follows:  "  New  York,  April  6,  1789. — I  have  the  honor  to  transmit 
to  your  Excellency  the  information  of  your  unanimous  election  to  the  office 
of  President  of  the  United  States  of  America.  Suffer  me,  sir,  to  indulge 
the  hope  that  so  auspicious  a  mark  of  public  confidence  will  meet  with  your 
approbation,  and  be  considered  as  a  pledge  of  the  affection  and  support  you 
are  to  expect  from  a  free  and  enlightened  people." 

THUKSDAY,  APRIL  16. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon  :  "  April  16. — About  ten  o'clock 
I  bade  adieu  to  Mount  Vernon,  to  private  life,  and  to 
domestic  felicity,  and  with  a  mind  oppressed  with  more 


122  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

anxious  and  painful  sensations  than  I  have  words  to  express, 
set  out  for  New  York  in  company  with  Mr  Thomson  and 
Col°  Humphreys,  with  the  best  disposition  to  render  service 
to  my  country  in  obedience  to  its  calls,  but  with  less  hope 
of  answering  its  expectations.'' — Washington's  Diary. 

"Alexandria,  April  23. — Last  Thursday  [April  16],  the  great  and  illus 
trious  Citizen  of  America,  G-EORGE  WASHINGTON,  Esq  ;  passed  through  this 
town  on  his  way  to  New- York  accompanied  by  Mr.  CHARLES  THOMSON. 
He  was  met  some  miles  out  of  town  by  a  numerous  escort  of  his  friends  and 
neighbours,  whose  attachment  to  him  was  such,  that  not  satisfied  with  attend 
ing  him  to  the  verge  of  their  own  state,  they  crossed  over  in  numerous 
crouds  to  George-Town,  where  they  surrendered  him  over  to  the  arms  of  an 
aifectionate  sister  state.  In  compliance  with  their  wishes,  he  partook  with 
them  of  an  early  dinner  prepared  at  Mr.  Wise's  tavern.  At  his  departure, 
an  affectionate  address  was  presented  to  him  by  the  citizens,  to  which  he 
made  a  reply,  expressive  of  his  feelings  on  the  occasion."* — Pennsylvania 
Packet,  April  30. 

"  George-Town,  April  23. — Last  Thursday,  passed  through  this  town,  on 
his  way  to  New- York,  the  Most  Illustrious  the  President  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  with  Charles  Thomson,  Esq.  ;  Secretary  to  Congress. 
His  Excellency  arrived  at  about  2  o'clock,  on  the  banks  of  the  Potowmack, 
escorted  by  a  respectable  corps  of  gentlemen  from  Alexandria,  where  the 
George-Town  ferry  boats,  properly  equipped,  received  his  Excellency  and 
suite,  and  safely  landed  them,  under  the  acclamations  of  a  large  crowd  of 
their  grateful  fellow-citizens — who  beheld  their  FABIUS  in  the  evening  of 
his  days,  bid  adieu  to  the  peaceful  retreat  of  Mount  Vernon,  in  order  to  save 
his  country  once  more,  from  confusion  and  anarchy.  From  this  place  his 
Excellency  was  escorted  by  a  corps  of  gentlemen,  commanded  by  Col. 
William  Deakins,  jun.  to  Mr.  Spurrier's  Tavern,  where  the  escort  from 
Baltimore  take  charge  of  him." — Pennsylvania  Packet,  May  5. 

FRIDAY,  APKIL  17. 

At  Baltimore  :  "  Baltimore,  April  21. — The  President  of 
the  United  States  arrived  in  this  place  on  his  way  to  Con 
gress,  on  Friday  afternoon,  the  17th  instant,  with  Charles 
Thomson,  Esq;  and  Colonel  Humphries.  This  great  man 
was  met  some  miles  from  Town,  by  a  large  body  of  respect 
able  citizens  on  horseback,  and  conducted,  under  a  dis- 


*  For  this  admirable  address  and  reply,  see  Sparks,  vol.  xii.  p.  137,  etc. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE   REVOLUTION.  123 

charge  of  cannon,  to  Mr.  Grant's  tavern  [the  "Fountain 
Inn"]  through  crowds  of  admiring  spectators. 

"  At  six  o'clock,  a  committee  chosen  in  consequence  of  a 
late  notification,  to  adjust  the  preliminaries  for  his  recep 
tion,  waited  upon  him  with  an  address  which  he  answered. 
A  great  number  of  the  citizens  were  presented  to  him,  and 
very  graciously  received.  Having  arrived  too  late  for  a 
public  dinner,  he  accepted  an  invitation  to  supper,  from 
which  he  retired  a  little  after  ten  o'clock." — Pennsylvania 
Packet,  April  28. 

"Baltimore,  April  21. — On  Saturday  morning  [April  18]  he  was  in  his 
carriage  at  half  past  five  o'clock  when  he  left  town,  under  a  discharge  of 
cannon,  and  attended  as  on  his  entrance,  by  a  body  of  the  citizens  on  horse 
back.  These  gentlemen  accompanied  him  seven  miles,  when  alighting  from 
his  carriage,  he  would  not  permit  them  to  proceed  any  further ;  but  took 
leave  of  them,  after  thanking  them  in  an  affectionate  and  obliging  manner 
for  their  politeness.  We  shall  only  add  on  this  occasion,  that  those  who  had 
often  seen  him  before,  and  those  who  never  had,  were  equally  anxious  to  see 
him.  Such  is  the  rare  impression  excited  by  his  uncommon  character  and 
virtues. " — Idem. 

SUNDAY,  APRIL  19. 

At  Wilmington,  Delaware  :  "  Wilmington,  April  25. — On 
Sunday  last  [April  19]  his  Excellency  the  President-General 
arrived  in  this  borough,  whither  he  was  accompanied  by 
a  number  of  gentlemen  of  this  State,  who  also  attended 
him  next  morning  to  the  Pennsylvania  line,  on  his  way  to 
New- York.  Before  his  departure,  the  corporation  of  this 
borough,  attended  by  many  of  the  inhabitants,  waited 
upon  his  Excellency,  with  an  address  of  congratulation, 
which  was  most  graciously  received." — Pennsylvania  Packet, 
April  28. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  20. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  April  22.— Monday  .last  [April  20] 
His  Excellency  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Esq;  the  PRESIDENT 
ELECT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  arrived  in  this  city,  about 
one  o'clock,  accompanied  by  the  President  of  the  State 


124  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  [1789 

[Thomas  Mifflin],  Governor  St.  Clair,  the  Speaker  of  the 
Assembly  [Richard  Peters],  the  Chief  Justice  [Thomas 
McKean],  the  Honorable  Mr.  Read,  the  Attorney-General 
[William  Bradford,  Jr.],  and  Secretary  Thomson,  the  two 
city  troops  of  horse,  the  county  troop,  a  detachment  of 
artillery,  a  body  of  light  infantry,  and  a  numerous  con 
course  of  citizens  on  horseback  and  foot. 

"His  EXCELLENCY  rode  in  front  of  the  procession,  on 
horseback.  The  number  of  spectators  who  filled  the  doors, 
windows  and  streets,  which  he  passed,  was  greater  than  on 
any  other  occasion  we  ever  remember. 

"  The  joy  of  the  whole  city  upon  this  august  spectacle 
cannot  easily  be  described.  Every  countenance  seemed  to 
say,  Long,  long  live  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  THE  FATHER 
OF  THE  PEOPLE!  At  three  o'clock  His  Excellency  sat 
down  to  an  elegant  Entertainment  of  250  covers,  at  the 
City  Tavern,  prepared  for  him  by  the  citizens  of  Philadel 
phia.  A  band  of  music  played  during  the  entertainment, 
and  a  discharge  of  artillery  took  place  at  every  toast,  among 
which  was  The  State  of  Virginia.  The  ship  Alliance,  and  a 
Spanish  merchant  ship,  were  handsomely  decorated  with 
colours  of  different  nations." — Pennsylvania  Gazette. 

In  the  approach  to  the  city  the  Schuylkill  was  crossed  at  Gray's  Ferry 
hridge,  which  "was  highly  decorated  with  laurel  and  other  evergreens,  by 
Mr.  Gray  himself,  the  ingenious  Mr.  [Charles  Willson]  Peale  and  others, 
and  in  such  a  stile,  as  to  display  uncommon  taste  in  these  gentlemen. — At 
each  end  there  were  erected  magnificent  arches,  composed  of  laurel,  emblem 
atic  of  the  ancient  triumphal  arches  used  by  the  Komans,  and  on  each  side 
of  the  bridge  a  laurel  shrubbery,  which  seemed  to  challenge  even  Nature 
herself  for  simplicity,  ease  and  elegance.  And  as  our  beloved  WASHINGTON 
passed  the  bridge,  a  lad,  beautifully  ornamented  with  sprigs  of  laurel, 
assisted  by  certain  machinery,  let  drop,  above  the  Hero's  head,  unperceived 
by  him,  a  civic  crown  of  laurel." 

Washington  spent  Monday  night  at  the  house  of  Robert  Morris,  on 
Market  Street,  and  on  the  following  morning  (April  21)  left  Philadelphia 
on  his  journey  to  New  York.  Previous  to  his  departure  he  received  and 
answered  addresses  from  the  President  and  Supreme  Executive  Council; 
from  the  mayor,  alJerrnen,  and  Common  Council  of  the  city ;  from  the 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  125 

judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  ;  from  the  trustees  and  faculty  of 
the  University  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania ;  and  from  the  State  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati. 

TUESDAY,  APRIL  21. 

At  Trenton,  New  Jersey :  "  Trenton,  April  21. — This  day 
we  were  honored  with  the  presence  of  his  Excellency  the 
President  of  the  United  States  of  America  on  his  way  to 
Xew  York.  A  troop  of  horse,  commanded  by  Capt.  Carle, 
and  a  company  of  infantry,  commanded  by  Capt  Halon, 
compleatly  equipped,  and  in  full  uniform,  with  a  large  con 
course  of  the  gentlemen  and  inhabitants  of  the  town  and 
neighbourhood,  lined  the  Jersey  bank  of  the  Delaware,  to 
hail  the  General's  arrival.  As  soon  as  he  set  foot  on  shore, 
he  was  welcomed  with  three  huzzas,  which  made  the  shores 
re-echo  the  chearful  sounds.  After  being  saluted  by  the 
horse  and  infantry,  he  was  escorted  to  town,  in  the  following 
order :  A  detachment  of  the  horse. — The  Light  Infantry. — 
His  Excellency,  on  horseback,  attended  by  Charles  Thomson, 
Esq;  and  Col.  Humphreys. — The  troop  of  horse. — The 
gentlemen  of  the  town  and  neighbourhood  on-  horseback." 
— Pennsylvania  Packet,  May  1. 

"  When  the  procession  arrived  at  the  bridge  south  of  the  town,  they  were 
presented  with  a  scene  to  which  no  description  can  do  justice. 

"  As  Trenton  had  been  rendered  twice  memorable  during  the  war,  once 
by  the  capture  of  the  Hessians,  and  again  by  the  repulse  of  the  whole  British 
army,  in  their  attempt  to  cross  the  bridge  over  the  Assanpinck  Creek,  the 
evening  before  the  battle  of  Princeton — a  plan  was  formed  by  a  number  of 
ladies,  and  carried  into  execution,  solely  under  their  direction,  to  testify  to 
the  General,  by  the  celebration  of  those  eventful  actions,  the  grateful  sense 
they  retained  of  the  safety  and  protection  afforded  by  him  to  the  daughters 
of  New-Jersey.  For  this  purpose,  a  triumphal  arch  was  raised  on  the  bridge, 
about  20  feet  wide,  supported  by  13  columns — the  height  of  the  arch  to  the 
centre  was  equal  to  the  width.  Each  columm  was  intwined  with  wreaths  of 
evergreen.  The  arch,  which  extended  about  twelve  feet  along  the  bridge, 
was  covered  with  laurel,  and  decorated  on  the  inside  with  laurel,  running- 
vines,  and  a  variety  of  evergreens.  On  the  front  of  the  arch  the  following 
motto  was  inscribed  in  large  gilt  letters — '  The  Defender  of  the  mothers  will 
also  protect  the  daughters.1 — The  upper  and  lower  edges  of  this  inscription 
were  ornamented  with  wreaths  of  evergreen  and  artificial  flowers  of  all  kinds, 


126  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

made  by  the  ladies  for  the  occasion,  beautifully  interspersed.  On  the  centre 
of  the  arch,  above  the  inscription,  was  a  dome,  or  cupola,  of  artificial  flowers 
and  evergreens,  encircling  the  dates  of  the  glorious  events  which  the  whole 
was  designed  to  celebrate,  inscribed  in  large  gilt  letters. — The  summit  of  the 
dome  displayed  a  large  sun-flower,  which,  always  pointing  to  the  sun,  was 
designed  to  express  this  sentiment,  or  motto — '  To  you  alone1 — as  emblematic 
of  the  affections  and  hopes  of  the  PEOPLE  being  directed  to  him,  in  the 
united  suffrage  of  the  millions  of  America. 

"  A  numerous  train  of  ladies,  leading  their  daughters,  were  assembled  at 
the  arch,  thus  to  thank  their  Defender  and  Protector.  As  the  General 
passed  under  the  arch,  he  was  addressed  in  the  following  SONATA,  com 
posed  [by  Major  Kichard  Howell  *]  and  set  to  music  for  the  occasion,  by  a 
number  of  young  ladies  dressed  in  white,  decked  with  wreaths  and  chaplets 
of  flowers,  and  holding  in  their  hands  baskets  filled  with  flowers : 

"  '  WELCOME,  mighty  Chief!  once  more, 
Welcome  to  this  grateful  shore  : 
Now  no  mercenary  foe 
Aims  again  the  fatal  blow — 
Aims  at  thee  the  fatal  blow. 

«« <  Virgins  fair,  and  Matrons  grave, 
Those  thy  conquering  arms  did  save, 
Build  for  thee  triumphal  bowers. 
Strew,  ye  fair,  his  way  with  flowers — 
Strew  your  Hero's  way  with  flowers.' 

"  As  they  sung  these  lines,  they  strewed  the  flowers  before  the  General. 

"When  his  Excellency  came  opposite  the  little  female  band,  he  honored 
the  ladies  by  stopping  until  the  Sonata  was  finished.  The  scene  was  truly 
grand — universal  silence  prevailed — Nothing  was  to  be  heard  but  the  sweet 
notes  of  the  songsters — and  the  mingled  sentiments  which  crouded  into  the 
mind  in  the  moments  of  solemn  stillness  during  the  song,  bathed  many 
cheeks  with  tears.  The  General  most  politely  thanked  the  ladies  for  their 
attention,  and  the  procession  moved  on  to  his  lodgings."  f — Idem. 

*  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  1794-1801. 

f  "  At  Trenton  Washington  dined  at  Samuel  Henry's  City  Tavern,  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Second  and  Warren  Streets,  with  the  principal  citizens 
of  the  place  and  held  a  reception  in  the  parlors  of  the  inn.  Late  in  the 
afternoon  he  took  carriage  for  Princeton,  the  Kev.  [James  F.]  Armstrong 
accompanying  him  that  far  on  his  journey.  It  is  generally  understood  that 
they  spent  that  night  at  the  residence  of  the  President  of  the  College,  the 
Kev.  Dr.  John  Witherspoon. " — WILLIAM  S.  STKYKEB,  Washington's  Re 
ception  by  the  People  of  New  Jersey  in  1789. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  127 

WEDNESDAY,  APKIL  22. 

At  New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey :  "  New  Brunswick,  April 
28. — On  Wednesday  last  [April  22],  his  Excellency  GEORGE 
WASHINGTON,  Esquire,  President  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  passed  through  this  city  on  his  way  to  the  seat 
of  the  Federal  Government,  accompanied  by  his  Excellency 
[William  Livingston]  the  Governor  of  the  State,  Charles 
Thomson,  Esq;  Col.  Humphreys,  and  several  other  gen 
tlemen  of  distinction.  His  Excellency  was  escorted  into 
this  city  by  the  Common  Council,  and  other  respectable 
citizens  on  horseback,  and  by  the  companies  of  artillery 
and  light-infantry  under  the  command  of  Captains  Doug 
las  and  Guest.  The  near  approach  of  his  Excellency  was 
announced  by  the  tiring  of  a  federal  salute  from  the  ar 
tillery,  and  by  the  ringing  of  bells." — Pennsylvania  Packet, 
May  2. 

"  The  Common  Council  and  other  citizens  on  horseback  met  his  Excel 
lency  some  miles  from  the  town,  and  after  having  congratulated  him  upon 
the  happy  occasion  of  their  meeting,  they  conducted  him  into  the  city,  pre 
ceded  by  the  companies  of  artillery  and  light-infantry,  and  a  detachment  of 
horse  from  Capt.  Carle's  cavalry,  accompanied  with  a  band  of  music.  At 
the  entrance  of  the  city,  the  troops  formed  a  line,  and  saluted  his  Excellency 
as  he  passed  them :  the  street  and  houses  were  crowded  with  many  joyful 
spectators ;  among  whom  were  a  great  number  of  the  fair  daughters  of 
Columbia,  collected  on  the  occasion  with  a  generous  desire  of  expressing 
their  respect  and  gratitude  to  this  illustrious  friend  to  mankind,  and  the 
great  protector  of  the  rights  of  their  country.  Joy  sparkled  in  every  eye, 
and  perfect  satisfaction  was  demonstrated  by  the  countenance  and  behaviour 
of  all  degrees  and  conditions  of  the  people,  when  they  beheld  the  object  of 
their  esteem  and  confidence  again  coming  into  public  life,  from  the  peaceful 
retirement  of  domestic  happiness,  to  preserve  by  his  wisdom,  those  invaluable 
privileges  which  he  had  defended  by  his  valour. 

"  The  inhabitants,  by  a  committee  appointed  for  the  purpose,  together 
with  the  Reverend  Clergy,  waited  on  his  Excellency  at  the  house  of  Major 
Thomas  Egbert,  and  congratulated  him  upon  his  appointment  to  the  office 
of  President  of  the  United  States  of  America,  expressed  the  great  happiness 
they  felt  on  that  important  occasion,  and  at  the  same  time  assured  him  that 
their  sincere  prayer  should  be,  that  he  might  enjoy  in  the  administration  of 
his  office,  that  felicity  which  is  the  just  reward  of  the  most  exalted  and  dis 
tinguished  merit. 


128  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

"  To  -which  his  Excellency  replied  with  a  politeness  particular  to  himself, 
and  in  a  manner  becoming  the  dignity  of  his  character. 

"  Ahout  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  his  Excellency,  accompanied  by  the 
Governor  of  the  state,  by  many  citizens  of  New-Brunswick,  and  by  several 
gentlemen  from  the  county  of  Essex,  and  amidst  the  joyful  acclamations  of 
a  large  concourse  of  happy  people  crossed  the  river  on  his  way  to  New- York. 

"  His  Excellency  and  suite  lodged  at  Woodbridge,  and  in  the  morning 
set  out  for  New- York,  and  was  met  in  Rah  way  by  the  light  dragoons  from 
Elizabeth-Town  and  Newark,  and  at  Elizabeth-Town  by  the  infantry,  gren 
adiers,  and  artillery,  who  saluted  him  as  he  passed  by." — Idem. 

"  Elizabeth-Town,  April  29. — Thursday  last  [April  23],  between  eight  and 
nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  His  Excellency  General  Washington  made  his 
entrance  into  this  town,  amidst  festive  throngs  of  numerous  spectators. 

"  He  was  met  near  Bridgetown,  by  a  number  of  citizens,  accompanied  by 
the  cavalry,  commanded  by  captains  Meeker,  Condict,  and  Wade,  wbich 
when  united  with  captain  Herd's  troop,  that  composed  the  escort  of  his 
Excellency  from  Brunswick,  made  a  most  martial  and  splendid  appearance. 
— On  his  Excellency's  approaching  the  town,  his  arrival  was  announced  by  a 
federal  salute  from  the  cannon,  and  the  illustrious  hero  was  received  by  the 
grenadiers  and  light  troops  under  arms.  He  alighted  at  the  [public]  house 
of  Mr.  [Samuel]  Smith,  where  he  received  the  congratulations  of  the  town 
and  the  committee  from  New-York.  He  partook  of  a  repast  provided  by 
the  gentlemen  of  the  town ;  and,  after  that  waited  on  the  committee  of 
Congress  at  Mr.  [Elias]  Boudinott's,  from  whence  he  proceeded,  attended 
by  a  vast  concourse  of  people,  and  the  cavalry  (in  order)  to  the  Point,  and 
after  reviewing  the  troops,  who  were  by  this  time  joined  by  some  respectable 
companies  from  Newark  and  its  environs,  he  was  conducted  on  board  of  the 
barge  prepared  for  his  reception,  the  beauty  of  which  met  his  highest  appro 
bation  ;  he  was  rowed  across  the  bay  by  thirteen  skilful  pilots.  Thomas 
Randall,  Esq ;  acted  as  cockswain." — Pennsylvania  Packet,  May  5. 

THURSDAY,  APRIL  23. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  April  24. — Yesterday,  about 
two  o'clock,  arrived  in  this  city,  His  Excellency  GEORGE 
WASHINGTON,  Esquire,  President  of  the  United  States 
of  America.  A  Committee  of  the  honorable  the  Congress,* 
a  deputation  of  the  State  Officers,  consisting  of  his  Honor 
the  Chancellor  [Robert  R.  Livingston]  and  the  Adjutant- 
General  [Nicholas  Fish],  accompanied  by  a  deputation  from 


*  John  Langdon,  Charles  Carroll,  and  William  Samuel  Johnson  of  the 
Senate,  Elias  Boudinot,  Theodoric  Bland,  Thomas  Tudor  Tucker,  Egbert 
Benson,  and  John  Lawrence  of  the  House. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  129 

the  Corporation  of  this  city,  consisting  of  the  Recorder 
[Richard  Varick],  received  His  Excellency  the  President  at 
Elizabethtown,  in  the  elegant  barge  which  was  previously 
constructed  for  the  purpose,  and  rowed  by  thirteen  pilots, 
under  the  superintendence  of  Captain  Randall." — Pennsyl 
vania  Gazette,  April  29. 

"On  the  President's  passing  the  battery,  a  federal  salute  "was  fired,  and 
repeated  upon  his  landing  *  near  the  City  Coffee-House,  where  he  was  re 
ceived  by  his  Excellency  the  Governor  [George  Clinton],  the  principal  offi 
cers  of  the  state,  his  honor  the  Mayor  [James  Duane],  and  the  principal 
officers  of  the  Corporation  ;  and  thence  accompanied  to  the  house  prepared 
for  his  reception,!  in  the  following  order,  Viz :  Troop  of  Horse. — Artillery 
and  residue  of  the  Legion,  under  arms. — The  military  officers  in  uniform, 
who  were  off  duty. — The  President's  Guard,  composed  of  the  Grenadiers  of 
the  first  regiment. — The  President,  the  Governor,  and  their  suites. — The 
principal  officers  of  the  state. — The  Mayor  and  Corporation. — The  Clergy. — 
The  Citizens. 

"  The  bells  were  rung,  and  colours  were  displayed  from  the  fort,  from  the 
vessels  in  the  harbour,  and  from  the  several  buildings  in  the  city ;  the 
streets  were  crowded  with  citizens,  and  the  windows  decorated  with  the  fair 
daughters  of  Columbia. 

"  In  the  evening  J  the  city  was  elegantly  illuminated.  The  joy  and  satis 
faction  universally  expressed  on  the  safe  arrival  of  this  Illustrious  Personage 
clearly  evince,  that  patriotism  and  magnanimity  are  still  held  in  respect  and 
veneration  among  our  citizens — His  Excellency  having,  in  a  distinguished 
manner,  displayed  those  eminent  virtues,  in  a  series  of  important  and  faith 
ful  services,  rendered  his  country,  in  the  most  gloomy  and  distressing 
periods." — Idem. 

*  At  Murray's  wharf,  foot  of  Wall  Street. 

f  The  house  prepared  for  the  President,  known  as  the  Franklin  House, 
the  former  residence  of  Walter  Franklin,  was  at  No.  3  Cherry  Street.  It 
was  owned  by  Samuel  Osgood,  one  of  the  Treasury  Commissioners,  who 
married  the  widow  of  Mr.  Franklin,  and  was  until  1856,  when  the  build 
ing  was  taken  down,  at  the  junction  of  Cherry  and  Pearl  Streets,  on 
Franklin  Square.  Washington  retained  this  house  until  February  23, 
1790,  when  he  removed  to  the  Macomb  House,  on  Broadway  near  Bowling 
Green. 

f  On  the  evening  of  April  23  Washington  dined  with  a  distinguished 
company  at  Governor  Clinton's  house,  Queen  (now  Pearl)  Street,  opposite 
Cedar.  This  house  was  occupied  by  Washington  as  head-quarters  from 
April  13  to  May  21,  1776. 

9 


130  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

FRIDAY,  APRIL  24. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  April  30.— Friday  [April  24] 
the  Hon.  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  waited 
on  his  Excellency  the  President,  to  congratulate  him  on 
his  safe  arrival  at  the  seat  of  government." — Pennsylvania 
Packet,  May  5. 

"  New  York,  April  27. — On  Saturday  [April  25]  the  Chamber  of  Com 
merce  met  at  the  Coffee-House,  about  half  after  eleven  o'clock,  in  conse 
quence  of  a  special  call  from  the  President.  From  the  Coffee-house  they 
proceeded  in  form  to  the  house  of  his  Excellency  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  headed  by  John  Broome,  Theophylact  Beach  and  John  Murray,  Es 
quires.  On  their  arrival  at  the  President's  they  were  conducted  into  the 
audience-room,  and  upon  his  Excellency's  entering,  Mr.  Broome,  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  Chamber,  addressed  him,  and  to  which  he  made  a  reply. 

"  After  his  Excellency's  reply,  he  was  introduced  by  the  President  of  the 
Chamber  to  every  member  present. ' ' — Pennsylvania  Packet,  April  30. 

TUESDAY,  APRIL  28. 

At  New  York:  "  April  28. — This  day  I  ought  to  note 
with  some  extraordinary  mark.  I  had  dressed  and  was 
about  to  set  out,  when  General  Washington,  the  great 
est  man  in  the  world,  paid  me  a  visit.  I  met  him  at  the 
foot  of  the  stairs.  Mr.  [Henry]  Wynkoop  just  came  in. 
"We  asked  him  to  take  a  seat.  He  excused  himself  on 
account  of  the  number  of  his  visits.  We  accompanied 
him  to  the  door.  He  made  us  complaisant  bows — one 
before  he  mounted  and  the  other  as  he  went  away  on  horse 
back." — Journal  of  William  Maclay,  Senator  from  Penn 
sylvania. 

William  Maclay,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  elected  September  30,  1788,  with 
Robert  Morris,  to  the  United  States  Senate,  and  drew  the  short  term,  which 
expired  on  March  3,  1791.  In  the  Senate,  Mr.  Maclay  advanced  democratic 
principles  and  led  the  opposition  to  "Washington,  objecting  to  his  presence 
in  the  Senate  during  the  transaction  of  business,  assailing  the  policy  of  the 
administration  before  him,  and  reprobating  the  state  and  ceremony  that  were 
observed  in  his  intercourse  with  Congress.  His  journal,  from  which  we 
quote,  was  published  at  New  York  in  1890. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  131 

THURSDAY,  APRIL  30. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  May  1. — YESTERDAY  [April 
30]  took  place  according  to  the  resolution  of  the  two  houses 
of  Congress,  the  ceremony  of  the  introduction  of  his  Excel 
lency  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  to  the  Presidency  of  the  United 
States." — Pennsylvania  Packet,  May  4. 

"At  nine  o'clock  A.M.  the  clergy  of  different  denominations  assembled 
their  congregations  in  their  respective  places  of  worship,  and  offered  up 
prayers  for  the  safety  of  the  president. 

"  About  twelve  o'clock  the  procession  moved  from  the  house  of  the  presi 
dent  in  Cherry-Street,  through  Dock-Street,  and  Broad-Street,  to  Federal 
Hall  [at  Wall  and  Nassau  Streets]  ;  in  the  following  order.  Colonel  [Mor 
gan]  Lewis  supported  by  two  officers,  Capt.  Stakes,  with  the  troop  of  Horse, 
Artillery,  Major  Van  Home,  Grenadiers,  under  Captain  Harsin,  German 
Grenadiers,  under  Capt.  Scriba,  Major  Bicker,  The  Infantry  of  the  Brigade. 
Major  Chrystie,  Sheriff  [Robert  Boyd]  The  Committee  of  the  Senate,*  The 
PRESIDENT  and  suite.  The  Committee  of  the  Representatives,!  The  Honor 
able  Mr.  Jay,  General  Knox,  Chancellor  Livingston,  and  several  other  gen 
tlemen  of  distinction.  Then  followed  a  multitude  of  citizens. 

"  When  they  came  within  a  short  distance  of  the  Hall,  the  troops  formed 
a  line  on  both  sides  of  the  way,  and  his  Excellency  passing  through  the 
ranks,  was  conducted  into  the  building,  and  in  the  Senate  Chamber  intro 
duced  to  both  houses  of  Congress — immediately  afterwards,  accompanied 
by  the  two  houses,  he  went  into  the  gallery  fronting  Broad-Street,  where, 
in  the  presence  of  an  immense  concourse  of  citizens,  he  took  the  oath  pre 
scribed  by  the  constitution,  which  was  administered  to  him  by  the  Hon.  R. 
R.  Livingston,  Esq ;  Chancellor  of  the  state  of  New  York. 

"Immediately  after  he  had  taken  the  oath,  the  Chancellor  proclaimed 
him  President  of  the  United  States. — Was  answered  by  the  discharge  of  13 
guns,  and  by  loud  repeated  shouts  ;  on  this  the  President  bowed  to  the 
people,  and  the  air  again  rang  with  their  acclamations.  His  Excellency 
with  the  two  houses,  then  retired  to  the  Senate  Chamber  and  delivered  his 
speech.  J 

*  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Ralph  Izard,  and  Tristram  Dalton. 

f  Egbert  Benson,  Fisher  Ames,  James  Madison,  Charles  Carroll,  and 
Roger  Sherman. 

f  "  As  the  company  returned  into  the  Senate  chamber,  the  President  took 
the  chair  and  the  Senators  and  Representatives  their  seats.  He  rose,  and 
all  arose  also,  and  addressed  them.  This  great  man  was  agitated  and  em 
barrassed  more  than  ever  he  was  by  the  leveled  cannon  or  pointed  musket. 
He  trembled,  and  several  times  could  scarce  make  out  to  read,  though  it 


132  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

"  His  excellency  accompanied  by  the  Vice  President,  the  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Kepresentatives  [Frederick  A.  Muhlenberg]  and  both  Houses  of 
Congress  went  to  St.  Paul's  chapel  [Broadway  and  Vesey  Street]  where 
divine  Service  was  performed  by  Eight  Keverend  Dr.  [Samuel]  Provost, 
Bishop  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  this  State  and  Chaplain  in  Congress. 
The  religious  ceremony  being  ended,  the  President  was  escorted  to  his  house, 
and  the  citizens  retired  to  their  homes.  In  the  evening  was  exhibited  under 
the  direction  of  Colonel  Bauman,  a  very  ingenious  and  splendid  show  of 
Fireworks."  * — Pennsylvania  Packet,  May  4. 

FKIDAY,  MAY  1. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  May  2. — Yesterday  morning 
The  President  received  the  compliments  of  His  Excellency 
the  Vice  President,  His  Excellency  the  Governor  of  this 
State ;  the  principal  Officers  of  the  different  Departments ; 
the  foreign  Ministers ;  and  a  great  number  of  other  persons 
of  distinction." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  5. 

At  New  York :  "  May  5. — This  being  a  day  for  receiving 
company  of  ceremony,  we  had  a  numerous  and  splendid 
circle  between  the  hours  of  two  and  three  in  the  afternoon. 

must  be  supposed  he  had  often  read  it  before.  He  put  part  of  the  fingers  of 
his  left  hand  into  the  side  of  what  I  think  the  tailors  call  the  fall  of  the 
breeches,  changing  the  paper  into  his  left  [right]  hand.  After  some  time 
he  then  did  the  same  with  some  of  the  fingers  of  his  right  hand.  When  he 
came  to  the  words  all  the  world,  he  made  a  flourish  with  his  right  hand, 
which  left  rather  an  ungainly  impression.  I  sincerely,  for  my  part,  wished 
all  set  ceremony  in  the  hands  of  the  dancing-masters,  and  that  this  first  of 
men  had  read  oif  his  address  in  the  plainest  manner,  without  ever  taking  his 
eyes  from  the  paper,  for  I  felt  hurt  that  he  was  not  first  in  every  thing.  He 
was  dressed  in  deep  brown,  with  metal  buttons,  with  an  eagle  on  them, 
white  stockings,  a  bag,  and  sword." — Journal  of  William  Maclai/. 

*  "April  30. — In  the  evening  there  was  a  display  of  most  beautiful  fire 
works  and  transparent  paintings  at  the  Batten-.  The  President,  Colonel 
Humphreys,  and  myself  went  in  the  beginning  of  the  evening  in  the  car 
riages  to  Chancellor  Livingston's  and  General  Knox's  where  we  had  a  full 
view  of  the  fire-works.  We  returned  home  on  foot,  the  throng  of  people 
being  so  great  as  not  to  permit  a  carriage  to  pass  through  it. ' ' — Diary  of 
Tobias  Lear. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  133 

A  committee  of  the  House  of  Representatives  *  waited  on 
the  President  with  a  copy  of  the  address  of  their  House, 
and  a  request  to  know  when  it  would  be  agreeable  to  him 
to  receive  it/' — Diary  of  Tobias  Lear. 

Soon  after  the  inauguration  it  became  apparent  that  particular  rules 
should  be  established  for  receiving  visitors  and  entertaining  company,  so 
that  the  President  might  be  able  to  attend  to  business  without  interruption. 
It  was  therefore  decided  that  he  should  return  no  visits,  that  invitations  to 
dinner  should  be  given  only  to  official  characters  and  strangers  of  distinction, 
and  that  the  visits  of  courtesy  should  be  confined  to  thn  afternoon  of  Tuesday 
in  each  week  between  the  hours  of  three  and  four.  Foreign  ministers  and 
strangers  were,  however,  received  on  other  days.  On  Friday  evenings  the 
house  was  open  for  visits  to  Mrs.  "Washington,  which  were  on  a  more  sociable 
footing,  and  at  which  the  President  was  always  present.  Mrs.  Washington 
held  her  first  levee  on  the  evening  of  Friday,  the  29th  of  May,  two  days  after 
her  arrival  in  New  York.  Thursday  of  each  week  was  assigned  for  the  state 
dinners. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  6. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  May  9. — On  "Wednesday  the 
6th  inst.  was  held  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  the  annual  COM 
MENCEMENT  of  COLUMBIA  COLLEGE.  .  .  .  THE 
PRESIDENT— His  Excellency  the  Vice-President— the 
Senate — the  GOVERNOR,  and  principal  officers  of  the 
Republic,  honored  by  their  presence,  this  highly  useful  and 
important  literary  Institution." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

THUKSDAY,  MAY  7. 

At  New  York  :  "  May  9. — Last  Thursday  evening  [May 
7]  the  subscribers  of  the  Dancing  Assembly  gave  an  elegant 
Ball  and  Entertainment  to  his  Excellency  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  who  was  pleased  to  honor  the  company 
with  his  presence.  His  Excellency  the  Vice  President, 
most  of  the  Members  of  both  Houses  of  Congress,  the 
Governor  of  New  York,  the  Chancellor,  and  Chief  Justice 
of  the  State  [Richard  Morris],  the  Hon.  John  Jay,  and  the 

*  Thomas  Sinnickson,  of  New  Jersey ;  Isaac  Coles,  of  Virginia ;  and 
William  Smith,  of  South  Carolina. 


134  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

Hon.  Gen.  Knox,  the  Commissioners  of  the  Treasury 
[Samuel  Osgood,  Walter  Livingston,  and  Arthur  Lee], 
His  Worship  the  Mayor  of  the  city,  the  late  President 
of  Congress  [Cyrus  Griffin],  the  Governor  of  the  West 
ern  Territory  [Arthur  St.  Clair],  the  Baron  Steuben,  the 
Count  de  Moustier,  Ambassador  of  his  Most  Christian 
Majesty,  and  many  other  foreigners  of  distinction  were  pres 
ent.  A  numerous  and  brilliant  collection  of  ladies  graced 
the  room  with  their  appearance.  The  whole  number  of 
persons  was  about  three  hundred.  The  company  retired 
about  two  o'clock,  after  having  spent  a  most  agreeable 
evening.  Joy,  satisfaction  and  vivacity  was  expressive  in 
every  countenance  —  and  every  pleasure  seemed  to  be 
heightened  by  the  presence  of  a  Washington." — New  York 
Packet. 

The  ball  was  held  at  the  Assembly  Koom,  on  the  east  side  of  Broadway,  a 
little  above  Wall  Street,  and  it  was  decorated  for  the  occasion  with  tasteful 
and  appropriate  magnificence.  The  President  danced  during  the  evening 
in  the  cotillion  with  Mrs.  Peter  Van  Brugh  Livingston  and  Mrs.  James  H. 
Maxwell,  and  in  a  minuet  with  Mrs.  Maxwell's  sister,  Miss  Van  Zandt.  It 
is  said  that  an  agreeable  surprise  was  prepared  by  the  managers  for  every 
woman  who  attended.  A  sufficient  number  of  fans  had  been  made  for  the 
purpose  in  Paris,  the  ivory  frames  of  which  displayed,  as  they  were  opened, 
between  the  hinges  and  the  elegant  paper  covering,  an  extremely  well  exe 
cuted  medallion  portrait  of  Washington,  in  profile,  and  a  page  was  appointed 
to  present  one,  with  the  compliments  of  the  managers,  as  each  couple  passed 
the  receiver  of  the  tickets. 

FKIDAY,  MAY  8. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  May  8. — Mr.  SMITH,  of 
South  Carolina,  informed  the  House  [of  Representatives], 
that  the  President  was  ready  to  receive  their  address  [in 
answer  to  his  speech  to  both  Houses].  The  House  imme 
diately  rose,  and  following  the  Speaker,  attended  The 
President  in  the  room  adjoining,  where  [at  twelve  o'clock] 
the  Address  was  presented  by  the  Speaker,  in  the  name  of 
the  House." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  135 

"  New  Fork,  May  13. — Last  Saturday  [May  9]  the  Mayor  and  Members 
of  the  Corporation  of  this  city,  attended  by  the  proper  Officers,  waited  on 
THE  PRESIDENT  of  the  UNITED  STATES,  and  presented  him  with  an  Ad 
dress." — Idem. 

MONDAY,  MAY  11. 

At  New  York :  "  May  11. — I  received  a  ticket  from  the 
President  of  the  United  States  to  use  his  box  this  evening 
at  the  theatre  [John  Street,  near  Broadway],  being  the  first 
of  his  appearance  at  the  playhouse  since  his  entering  on 
his  office.  The  President,  Governor  of  the  State,  foreign 
Ministers,  Senators  from  New  Hampshire  [John  Langdon 
and  Paine  Wingate],  Connecticut  [William  S.  Johnson 
and  Oliver  Ellsworth],  Pennsylvania  [William  Maclay  and 
Robert  Morris],  M.,  and  South  Carolina  [Pierce  Butler  and 
Ralph  Izard] ;  and  some  ladies  in  the  same  box.  I  am  old, 
and  notices  or  attentions  are  lost  on  me.  I  could  have 
wished  some  of  my  dear  children  in  my  place ;  they  are 
young  and  would  have  enjoyed  it.  Long  might  they  live 
to  boast  of  having  been  seated  in  the  same  box  with  the 
first  Character  in  the  world. 

"  The  play  was  the  '  School  for  Scandal.'  I  never  liked 
it;  indeed,  I  think  it  an  indecent  representation  before 
ladies  of  character  and  virtue.  Farce,  the  '  Old  Soldier.' 
The  house  greatly  crowded,  and  I  thought  the  players 
acted  well ;  but  I  wish  we  had  seen  the  Conscious  Lovers,  or 
some  one  that  inculcated  more  prudential  manners." — 
Journal  of  William  Maclay. 

THUKSDAY,  MAY  14. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  May  16. — Last  Thursday 
evening  [May  14],  His  Excellency  THE  MINISTER  of 
FRANCE  [Count  de  Moustier],  gave  a  Ball  to  THE 
PRESIDENT  of  the  UNITED  STATES,  which  was  un 
commonly  elegant,  in  respect  both  to  the  company  and  the 
plan  of  entertainment.  As  a  compliment  to  our  alliance 
with  France,  there  were  two  sets  of  Cotillion  Dancers  in 


136  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1789 

complete  uniforms;  one  set  in  that  of  France,  and  the 
other  in  Blue  and  Buff :  The  ladies  were  dressed  in  white, 
with  Ribbands,  Bouquets  and  Garlands  of  Flowers,  answering 
to  the  uniforms  of  the  Gentlemen.— THE  VICE-PRESI 
DENT — many  Members  of  the  Senate,  and  House  of  Rep 
resentatives  of  the  United  States— THE  GOVERNOR  of 
this  State— THE  GOVERNOR  of  the  Western  Territory, 
and  other  characters  of  distinction  were  present." — Gazette 
of  the  United  States. 

FRIDAY,  MAY  15. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  May  16.— Yesterday  Mr.  F. 
P.  VAN  BERCKEL  had  an  audience  of  THE  PRESIDENT  of  the 
UNITED  STATES  of  AMERICA,  in  which  he  delivered  his  Cre 
dentials  of  RESIDENT  from  THEIR  HIGH  MIGHTINESSES  THE 
STATES  GENERAL  OF  THE  UNITED  NETHERLANDS,  having 
been  introduced  by  the  Hon.  JOHN  JAY,  Secretary  of  State 
for  the  Department  of  foreign  affairs." — Gazette  of  the  United 
States. 

"New  York,  May  18. — Friday  last  [May  15],  the  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States,  the  Heads  of  Departments,  the  Foreign  Ministers,  the  Judges 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  this  State,  together  with  a  numerous  circle  of  citi 
zens  and  foreigners,  visited  the  President  at  his  house." — Pennsylvania 
Packet,  May  20. 

MONDAY,  MAY  18. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  May  20. — Monday  last  [May 
18]  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  with  THE  VICE-PRESI 
DENT  at  their  head,  went  in  a  body,  in  carriages,  from  their 
Chamber  of  Congress,  to  the  House  of  THE  PRESIDENT, 
where  the  Vice-President  read  and  presented  to  him  an 
Address,  in  answer  to  his  Speech,  delivered  to  both  Houses 
of  Congress." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  19. 

At  New  York :  "  May  19. — Had  agreed  with  sundry  of 
our  Pennsylvania  friends  to  go  to  the  levee.  General  Muh- 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  137 

lenberg  came  to  me  and  told  me  they  would  meet  me  in 
the  committee-room.  We  did  so,  arid  went  to  the  levee. 
I  went  foremost,  and  left  them  to  follow  and  do  as  well  as 
they,  could.  Indeed,  they  had  no  great  thing  of  a  pattern, 
for  I  am  but  a  poor  courtier.  The  company  was  large  for 
the  room.  The  foreign  Ministers  were  there,  Van  Berkel, 
the  Dutch  Minister  (for  the  first  time  I  suppose),  gaudy  as  a 
peacock.  Our  Pennsylvania's  withdrew  before  me.  The 
President  honored  me  with  a  particular  tete-a-ttte.  '  How 
will  this  weather  suit  your  farming?'  'Poorly — sir;  the 
season  is  the  most  backward  I  have  ever  known.  It  is  re 
markably  so  here,  but  by  letters  from  Pennsylvania  vegeta 
tion  is  slow  in  proportion  there.'  '  The  fruit,  it  is  to  be 
expected,  will  be  safe ;  backward  seasons  are  in  favor  of  it, 
but  in  Virginia  it  was  lost  before  I  left  that  place.'  '  Much 
depends  on  the  exposure  of  the  orchard.  Those  with  a 
northern  aspect  have  been  found  by  us  [in  Pennsylvania] 
to  be  the  most  certain  in  producing  fruit.'  '  Yes,  that  is  a 
good  observation  and  should  be  attended  to.'  Made  my 
bow  and  retired," — Journal  of  William  Maclay. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  27. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  May  27. — This  morning  at  5 
o'clock  the  President  set  off  in  his  barge  to  meet  Mrs. 
Washington  at  Elizabeth-Town  Point." — Gazette  of  the 
United  States. 

"  New  York,  May  30. — Wednesday  [May  27]  arrived  in  this  city  from 
Mount  Vernon,  Mrs.  Washington,  the  amiable  consort  of  The  President  of 
the  United  States.  Mrs.  Washington  from  Philadelphia  was  accompanied 
by  the  Lady  of  Mr.  Robert  Morris.  At  Elizabethtown-point  she  was  met 
by  The  President,  Mr.  Morris,  and  several  other  gentlemen  of  distinction, 
who  had  gone  there  for  that  purpose. — She  was  conducted  over  the  bay  in 
the  President's  Barge,  rowed  by  13  eminent  pilots,  in  a  handsome  white 
dress ;  on  passing  the  Battery  a  salute  was  fired ;  and  on  her  landing  [at 
Peck's  Slip]  she  was  welcomed  by  crowds  of  citizens,  who  had  assembled  to 
testify  their  joy  on  this  happy  occasion. 

"  The  principal  ladies  of  the  city  have,  with  the  earliest  attention  and 
respect,  paid  their  devoirs  to  the  amiable  consort  of  our  beloved  PRESIDENT, 


138  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE   REVOLUTION.          [1789 

viz.  The  Lady  of  His  Excellency  the  Governor — Lady  Sterling — Lady  Mary 
Watts — Lady  Kitty  Duer — La  Marchioness  de  Brehan — the  Ladies  of  the 
Most  Hon.  Mr.  Langdon,  and  the  Most  Hon.  Mr.  Daltori — the  Mayoress — 
Mrs.  Livingston  of  Clermont — Mrs.  Chancellor  Livingston — the  Miss  Living 
ston's — Lady  Temple — Madam  de  la  Forest — Mrs.  Montgomery — Mrs.  Knox 
— Mrs.  Thompson — Mrs.  Gerry — Mrs.  Edgar — Mrs.  MlComb — Mrs.  Lynch — 
Mrs.  Houston— Mrs.  Griffin — Mrs.  Provost — the  Miss  Bayards  and  a  great 
number  of  other  respectable  characters." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  28. 

At  New  York:  "New  York,  May  30.— Although  THE 
PRESIDENT  makes  no  formal  invitations,  yet  the  day  after 
the  arrival  of  Mrs.  Washington,  the  following  distinguished 
personages  dined  at  his  house,  en  famille. — Their  Excellen 
cies  the  Vice-President — the  Governor  of  this  State — the 
Ministers  of  France  and  Spain — and  the  Governor  of  the 
Western  Territory — the  Hon.  Secretary  of  the  United  States 
for  Foreign  Aflairs — the  Most  Hon.  Mr.  Langdon,  Mr. 
Wingate,  Mr.  Izard,  Mr.  Few,  and  Mr.  Muhlenberg, 
Speaker  of  the  Hon.  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

Paine  Wingate,  Senator  from  New  Hampshire,  one  of  the  guests,  has  left 
the  following  description  of  this  dinner:  "  It  was  the  least  showy  dinner 
that  I  ever  saw  at  the  President's.  As  there  was  no  clergyman  present, 
Washington  himself  said  grace  on  taking  his  seat.  He  dined  on  a  boiled  leg 
of  mutton,  as  it  was  his  custom  to  eat  of  only  one  dish.  After  the  dessert  a 
single  glass  of  wine  was  offered  to  each  of  the  guests,  when  the  President 
rose,  the  guests  following  his  example,  and  repaired  to  the  drawing-room, 
each  departing  at  his  option,  without  ceremony." 

FRIDAY,  JUNE  5. 

At  New  York:  "New  York,  June  8.— THEATRE— 
JOHN-STREET — Friday  evening  [June  5]  was  presented  that 
excellent  Comedy  the  CLANDESTINE  MARRIAGE.  The  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  and  his  Lady — the  Most  Honour 
able  Robert  Morris  and  Lady — the  Gentlemen  of  the  Presi 
dent's  Suite — Honourable  General  Knox  and  Lady — Baron 
Steuben — and  many  other  respectable  and  distinguished 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  139 

characters  honoured  the  Theatre  with  their  presence." — 
Pennsylvania  Packet,  June  10. 


MONDAY,  JUNE  8. 

At  New  York :  "  Although  in  the  present  unsettled  state 
of  the  executive  departments,  under  the  government  of  the 
Union,  I  do  not  conceive  it  expedient  to  call  upon  you  for 
information  officially,  yet  I  have  supposed,  that  some  in 
formal  communications  from  the  office  of  foreign  affairs 
might  neither  be  improper  nor  unprofitable." — Washington 
to  John  Jay,  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs. 

The  secretaries  of  the  several  executive  departments  under  the  new  gov 
ernment  were  not  appointed  till  September.  In  the  mean  time  the  usual 
business  of  the  departments  was  transacted  by  the  officers  who  had  charge 
of  them  when  the  old  government  expired.  Mr.  Jay  continued  to  fill  the 
office  of  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs  till  Mr.  Jefferson  (appointed  September 
26)  entered  upon  his  duties  in  March,  1790.  The  name  of  the  department 
was  changed  by  law  to  that  of  the  Department  of  State,  and  its  head  was 
thenceforward  called  Secretary  of  State.  General  Knox  acted  as  Secretary 
of  War  till  his  new  appointment  to  the  same  post  on  the  12th  of  September. 
The  affairs  of  the  Treasury  were  administered  by  a  Board,  consisting  of 
Samuel  Osgood,  Walter  Livingston,  and  Arthur  Lee.  These  gentlemen 
retained  their  places  till  September  11,  when  Alexander  Hamilton  was 
appointed  Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  Edmund  Kandolph  was  appointed 
Attorney-General  September  26,  and  Samuel  Osgood  Postmaster-General  on 
the  same  day. 

FKIDAY,  JUNE  19. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  June  19. — His  Excellency 
the  President  of  the  United  States  has  been  much  indis 
posed  for  several  days  past,  which  has  caused  great  anxiety 
in  the  breast  of  every  true  friend  to  America;  on  Wednes 
day  he  was  visited  by  several  physicians,  and  a  chain  ex 
tended  across  the  street  to  prevent  the  passing  of  carriages 
before  his  door ;  it  is  however  hoped,  that  this  indisposition 
will  not  prove  other  than  incidental,  and  the  cause  be  soon 
removed." — Pennsylvania  Packet,  June  22. 


140  WASHINGTON  AFTER   TEE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

MONDAY,  JUNE  22. 

At  New  York :  "  The  President  has  been  confined  to 
his  bed  for  a  week  past  by  a  fever,  and  a  violent  tumor 
on  his  thigh; — I  have  now,  however,  the  pleasure  to  in 
form  you  that  the  former  has  left  him,  and  the  latter  in 
a  fair  way  of  being  removed,  tho'  from  its  size  it  will  be 
some  time  before  he  will  be  wholly  relieved  from  the  in 
convenience  of  it." — Tobias  Lear  to  Clement  Biddle,  MS. 
Letter. 

"  New  York,  June  24. — I  informed  you  in  my  last,  of  the  22d  that  the 
President  was  recovering  from  his  indisposition,  and  I  am  now  happy  to 
add  that  he  still  continues  to  mend ; — his  weakness,  and  the  effects  of  the 
tumor  on  his  thigh  are  now  his  only  complaints — these  will  be  removed  by 
time  and  attention,  tho'  the  latter  having  been  very  large  &  the  incision, 
on  opening  it,  deep,  must  require  some  time  to  be  in  a  state  to  enable  him 
to  take  exercise." — Tobias  Lear  to  Clement  Biddle,  MS.  Letter. 

FEIDAY,  JULY  3. 

At  New  York :  "I  have  now  the  pleasure  to  inform  you, 
that  my  health  is  restored,  but  a  feebleness  still  hangs  upon 
me,  and  I  am  much  incommoded  by  the  incision,  which 
was  made  in  a  very  large  and  painful  tumor  on  the  pro 
tuberance  of  my  thigh.  This  prevents  me  from  walking 
or  sitting.  ...  I  am  able  to  take  exercise  in  my  coach,  by 
having  it  so  contrived  as  to  extend  myself  the  full  length 
of  it." — Washington  to  James  McHenry. 

The  cause  of  the  illness  of  "Washington  was  a  case  of  anthrax  so  malig 
nant  as  for  several  days  to  threaten  mortification.  His  medical  adviser 
was  Dr.  Samuel  Bard,  who  attended  him  with  unremitting  assiduity. 
Being  alone  one  day  with  the  doctor,  Washington,  regarding  him  steadily, 
asked  his  candid  opinion  as  to  the  probable  result  of  his  case.  "Do  not 
flatter  me  with  vain  hopes,"  said  he,  with  placid  firmness;  "1  am  not 
afraid  to  die,  and  therefore  can  bear  the  worst."  The  doctor  expressed 
hope,  but  owned  that  he  had  apprehensions.  "  Whether  to-night  or  twenty 
years  hence  makes  no  difference,"  observed  Washington.  "  I  know  that 
I  am  in  the  hands  of  a  good  Providence."  His  sufferings  were  intense  and 
his  recovery  was  slow. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  141 

SATUKDAY,  JULY  4. 

At  New  York :  Is  waited  on  by  a  committee  of  the 
Society  of  the  Cincinnati  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and 
addressed  by  its  chairman,  Baron  Steuben. 

The  Society  afterward  marched  in  procession,  attended  by  Colonel  Bau- 
man's  artillery  and  a  band  of  music,  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel,  where  Alexander 
Hamilton  delivered  an  oration  in  honor  of  General  Nathanael  Greene. 
William  Maclay,  Senator  from  Pennsylvania,  referring  to  this  in  his  jour 
nal,  says,  "  The  church  was  crowded.  The  Cincinnati  had  seats  allotted 
for  themselves  ;  wore  their  eagles  at  their  button-holes,  and  were  preceded 
by  a  flag.  The  oration  was  well  delivered  ;  the  composition  appeared  good, 
but  I  thought  he  should  have  given  us  some  account  of  his  virtues  as  a 
citizen  as  well  as  a  warrior,  for  I  supposed  he  possessed  them,  and  he  lived 
some  time  after  the  war,  and,  I  believe,  commenced  fanning." 

MONDAY,  JULY  6. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  July  6. — "With  pleasure  we 
announce  that  the  President  is  considerably  recovered  from 
his  late  indisposition,  and  has,  for  these  few  days  past,  been 
able  to  take  an  airing  in  his  carriage." — Pennsylvania  Packet, 
July  8. 

THUKSDAY,  JULY  23. 

At  New  York  :  "  New  York,  July  25. — On  Thursday  last 
[July  23]  that  venerable  patriot  CHARLES  THOMPSON, 
Esq.  resigned  to  THE  PRESIDENT  of  the  United  States  his 
office  of  Secretary  of  Congress — a  post  which  he  has  filled 
for  nearly  Fifteen  Years,  with  reputation  to  himself,  and 
advantage  to  his  country. 

"  When  Heav'n  propitious  smil'd  upon  our  arms, 
Or  scenes  adverse  spread  terror  and  alarms, 
Thro'  every  change  the  Patriot  was  the  same — 
And  FAITH  and  HOPE  attended  THOMPSON'S  NAME." 

—  Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

The  President,  in  accepting  his  resignation,  wrote  to  Mr.  Thomson  under 
date  of  July  24,  as  follows:  "The  present  age  does  so  much  justice  to  the 
unsullied  reputation,  with  which  you  have  always  conducted  yourself  in  the 
execution  of  the  duties  of  your  office,  and  posterity  will  find  your  name  so 


142  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

honorably  connected  with  the  verification  of  such  a  multitude  of  astonishing 
facts,  that  my  single  suffrage  would  add  little  to  the  illustration  of  your 
merits.  Yet  I  cannot  -withhold  any  just  testimonial  in  favor  of  so  old,  so 
faithful,  and  so  able  a  public  officer,  which  might  tend  to  soothe  his  mind 
in  the  shade  of  retirement.  Accept,  then,  this  serious  declaration,  that  your 
services  have  been  important,  as  your  patriotism  was  distinguished ;  and 
enjoy  that  best  of  all  rewards,  the  consciousness  of  having  done  your  duty 
well." 

MONDAY,  JULY  27. 

At  New  York:  "Among  the  first  acts  of  my  recom 
mencing  business,  after  lying  six  weeks  on  my  right  side,  is 
that  of  writing  to  you  this  letter  in  acknowledgment  of 
yours  of  the  1st  instant.  Not  being  fairly  on  my  seat  yet, 
or,  in  other  words,  not  being  able  to  sit  up  without  some 
uneasiness,  it  must  be  short." —  Washington  to  JBushrod  Wash 
ington. 

"  New  York,  July  29. — THE  PRESIDENT  of  the  United  States  was  so  well 
as  to  receive  visits  of  compliment  from  many  official  characters  and  citizens 
yesterday  ;  but  we  learn,  that,  until  his  strength  shall  be  more  fully  restored, 
he  proposes  to  receive  them  only  once  a  week,  and  that  on  Tuesdays.  Mrs. 
Washington,  we  are  informed,  will  be  at  home  every  Friday,  at  eight  o'clock 
P.M.  to  see  company." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  19. 

At  New  York :  Receives  and  answers  an  address  from 
"  The  Bishops,  the  Clergy,  and  Laity  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  States  of  New-York,  New-Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  South  Caro 
lina,  in  Convention  at  Philadelphia,  7th  August,  1789." 

The  address  was  presented  by  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Provoost,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  William  Smith,  Mr.  Robert  Andrews,  Mr.  John  Cox,  Mr.  Wil 
liam  Brisbane,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Abraham  Beach,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Benjamin  Moore, 
Mr.  Moses  Rogers,  the  Rev.  Uzal  Ogden,  the  Rev.  Mr.  George  H.  Spieren, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Henry  Waddell,  and  the  Hon.  Mr.  Duane. 

SATURDAY,  AUGUST  22. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  August  22. — THE  PRESIDENT 
of  the  United  States  will  this  day,  at  11  o'clock,  meet  the 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  143 

Senate  in  their  chamber  of  Congress ;  to  confer  with  them 
upon  the  important  subject  of  the  approaching  negociations 
and  treaties  with  the  Southern  Indians ;  and  to  make  the 
necessary  previous  arrangements  of  that  business.  This 
intention  was  announced  to  the  Senate  by  message  on 
Thursday  last." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

"August  22. — Senate  met,  and  went  on  the  Coasting  bill.  The  door 
keeper  soon  told  us  of  the  arrival  of  the  President.  The  President  was 
introduced,  and  took  our  Vice-President's  chair.  He  rose  and  told  us 
bluntly  that  he  had  called  on  us  for  our  advice  and  consent  to  some  propo 
sitions  respecting  the  treaty  to  be  held  with  the  Southern  Indians.  Said  he 
had  brought  General  Knox  with  him,  who  was  well  acquainted  with  the 
business.  He  then  turned  to  General  Knox,  who  was  seated  on  the  left  of 
the  chair.  General  Knox  handed  him  a  paper,  which  he  handed  to  the 
President  of  the  Senate,  who  was  seated  on  a  chair  on  the  floor  to  his  right. 
Our  Vice-President  hurried  over  the  paper.  ...  I  rose  reluctantly.  Mr. 
President :  The  paper  which  you  have  now  read  to  us  appears  to  have  for  its 
basis  sundry  treaties  and  public  transactions  between  the  Southern  Indians 
and  the  United  States  and  the  States  of  Georgia,  North  Carolina,  and  South 
Carolina.  The  business  is  new  to  the  Senate.  It  is  of  importance.  It  is 
our  duty  to  inform  ourselves  as  well  as  possible  on  the  subject.  I  therefore 
call  for  the  reading  of  the  treaties  and  other  documents  alluded  to  in  the 
paper  before  us.  I  cast  an  eye  at  the  President  of  the  United  States.  I  saw 
he  wore  an  aspect  of  stern  displeasure.  .  .  . 

"  I  had  at  an  early  stage  of  the  business  whispered  Mr.  Morris  that  I 
thought  the  best  way  to  conduct  the  business  was  to  have  all  the  papers 
committed.  .  .  .  Mr.  Morris  hastily  rose  and  moved  that  the  papers  commu 
nicated  to  the  Senate  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  should  be  referred 
to  a  committee  of  five,  to  report  as  soon  as  might  be  on  them.  ...  I  rose 
and  supported  tho  mode  of  doing  business  by  committees ;  that  committees 
were  used  in  all  public  deliberative  bodies,  etc.  I  thought  I  did  the  subject 
justice,  but  concluded  the  commitment  can  not  be  attended  with  any  possi 
ble  inconvenience.  Some  articles  are  already  postponed  until  Monday. 
Whoever  the  committee  are,  if  committed,  they  must  make  their  report  on 
Monday  morning.  I  spoke  through  the  whole  in  a  low  tone  of  voice. 
Peevishness  itself,  I  think,  could  not  have  taken  offense  at  anything  I  said. 

"  As  I  sat  down,  the  President  of  the  United  States  started  up  in  a  violent 
fret.  '  This  defeats  every  purpose  of  my  coming  here,'  were  the  first  words 
that  he  said.  He  then  went  on  that  he  had  brought  his  Secretary  of  War 
with  him  to  give  every  necessary  information  ;  that  the  Secretary  knew  all 
about  the  business,  and  yet  he  was  delayed  and  could  not  go  on  with  the 
matter.  He  cooled,  however  by  degrees.  Said  he  had  no  objection  to 


144  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

putting  off  this  matter  until  Monday,  but  declared  he  did  not  understand 
the  matter  of  commitment.  He  might  be  delayed ;  he  could  not  tell  how 
long.  He  rose  a  second  time,  and  said  he  had  no  objection  to  postponement 
until  Monday  at  ten  o'clock.  By  the  looks  of  the  Senate  this  seemed  agreed 
to.  A  pause  for  some  time  ensued.  "We  waited  for  him  to  withdraw.  He 
did  so  with  a  discontented  air.  Had  it  been  any  other  man  than  the  man 
whom  I  wish  to  regard  as  the  first  character  in  the  world,  I  would  have  said, 
with  sullen  dignity. 

"  August  24. — The  Senate  met.  The  President  of  the  United  States  soon 
took  his  seat,  and  the  business  began.  The  President  wore  a  different  aspect 
from  what  he  did  Saturday.  He  was  placid  and  serene,  and  manifested  a 
spirit  of  accommodation ;  declared  his  consent  that  his  questions  should  be 
amended. ' ' — Journal  of  William  Maclay. 

THUESDAY,  AUGUST  27. 

At  New  York:  "August  27. — Senate  adjourned  early. 
At  a  little  after  four  I  called  on  Mr.  [Richard]  Bassett,  of 
the  Delaware  State.  We  went  to  the  President's  to  dinner. 
The  company  were  :  President  and  Mrs.  "Washington,  Vice- 
President  and  Mrs.  Adams,  the  Governor  and  his  wife,  Mr. 
Jay  and  wife,  Mr.  [John]  Langdon  and  wife,  Mr.  [Tristram] 
Dalton  and  a  lady  (perhaps  his  wife),  and  a  Mr.  Smith,  Mr. 
Bassett,  myself,  [Tobias]  Lear,  [Robert]  Lewis,*  the  Presi 
dent's  secretaries.  The  President  and  Mrs.  Washington 
sat  opposite  each  other  in  the  middle  of  the  table ;  the  two 
secretaries,  one  at  each  end.  It  was  a  great  dinner,  and  the 
best  of  the  kind  I  ever  was  at.  The  room,  however,  was 
disagreeably  warm. 

"  First  was  the  soup ;  fish  roasted  and  boiled ;  meats, 
gammon,  fowls,  etc.  This  was  the  dinner.  The  middle 
of  the  table  was  garnished  in  the  usual  tasty  way,  with 
small  images,  flowers  (artificial),  etc.  The  dessert  was, 
first  apple-pies,  pudding,  etc. ;  then  iced  creams,  jellies, 
etc.;  then  water-melons,  musk-melons,  apples,  peaches, 
nuts." — Journal  of  William  Maclay. 

"It  was  the  most  solemn  dinner  ever  I  sat  at.  Not  a  health  drank; 
scarce  a  word  said  until  the  cloth  was  taken  away.  Then  the  President, 


*  A  nephew  of  the  President,  son  of  his  sister  Betty  Lewis. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  145 

filling  a  glass  of  wine,  with  great  formality  drunk  to  the  health  of  every 
individual  by  name  round  the  table.  Everybody  imitated  him,  charged 
glasses,  and  such  a  buzz  of  'health,  sir,'  and  'health,  madam,'  and  '  thank 
you,  sir,'  and  '  thank  you,  madam,'  never  had  I  heard  before.  Indeed,  I 
had  liked  to  have  been  thrown  out  in  the  hurry  ;  but  I  got  a  little  wine  in 
my  glass,  and  passed  the  ceremony.  The  ladies  sat  a  good  while,  and  the 
bottles  passed  about ;  but  there  was  a  dead  silence  almost.  Mrs.  Washington 
at  last  withdrew  with  the  ladies. 

•'  I  expected  the  men  would  now  begin,  but  the  same  stillness  remained. 
The  President  told  of  a  New  England  clergyman  who  had  lost  a  hat  and 
wig  in  passing  a  river  called  the  Brunks.  He  smiled,  and  every  body  else 
laughed.  He  now  and  then  said  a  sentence  or  two  on  some  common  sub 
ject,  and  what  he  said  was  not  amiss.  Mr.  Jay  tried  to  make  a  laugh  by 
mentioning  the  circumstance  of  the  Duchess  of  Devonshire  leaving  no  stone 
unturned  to  carry  Fox's  election.  There  was  a  Mr.  Smith,  who  mentioned 
how  Homer  described  ^Eneas  leaving  his  wife  and  carrying  his  father  out  of 
flaming  Troy.  He  had  heard  somebody  (I  suppose)  witty  on  the  occasion  ; 
but  if  he  had  ever  read  it  he  would  have  said  Virgil.  The  President  kept  a 
fork  in  his  hand  when  the  cloth  was  taken  away,  I  thought  for  the  purpose 
of  picking  nuts.  He  ate  no  nuts,  however,  but  played  with  the  fork, 
striking  on  the  edge  of  the  table  with  it.  We  did  not  sit  long  after  the 
ladies  retired.  The  President  rose,  went  upstairs  to  drink  coffee  ;  the  com 
pany  followed.  I  took  my  hat  and  came  home." — Idem. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  1. 

At  New  York :  "  September  1. — Baron  Steuben  and  Gov 
ernor  St.  Clair  dined  with  us  to  day;  the  Baron  was  re 
markably  cheerful  and  facetious,  likewise  greatly  devoted 
to  the  President.  In  the  midst  of  our  mirth  my  uncle  re 
ceived  a  letter  .  .  .  informing  him  of  the  death  of  my 
grandmother,  an  event  long  expected." — Diary  of  Robert 
Lewis. 

"  FKEDEKICKSBUPvG  [ Virginia],  August  27,  1789.— On  Tuesday,  the 
25th  inst.  died  at  her  home  in  this  town,  MRS.  MARY  WASHINGTON,  aged 
82  years,  the  venerable  mother  of  the  illustrious  President  of  the  United 
States,  after  a  long  and  painful  indisposition,  which  she  bore  with  uncom 
mon  patience.  Though  a  pious  tear  of  duty,  affection  and  esteem,  is  due 
to  the  memory  of  so  revered  a  character,  yet  our  grief  must  be  greatly  alle 
viated  from  the  consideration  that  she  is  relieved  from  the  pitiable  infirmities 
attendant  on  an  extreme  old  age. — It  is  usual  when  virtuous  and  conspicu 
ous  persons  quit  this  terrestrial  abode,  to  publish  an  elaborate  panegyric  on 
their  characters — suffice  it  to  say,  she  conducted  herself  through  this  transi- 

10 


146  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

tory  life  with  virtue,  prudence  and  Christianity,  worthy  the  mother  of  the 
greatest  Hero  that  ever  adorned  the  annals  of  history. 

u  O  may  kind  heaven,  propitious  to  our  fate, 
Extend  THAT  HERO'S  to  her  lengthened  date  ; 
Through  the  long  period,  healthy,  active,  sage; 
Nor  know  the  sad  infirmities  of  age. ' ' 

— Gazette  of  the  United  States,  September  9. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  8. 

At  New  York:  "  New  York,  September  12. — On  Tuesday 
last  [September  8],  being  the  first  public  levee  at  the  Presi 
dent's  since  his  mother's  decease  was  known  in  this  city, 
several  gentlemen  of  the  two  Houses  of  Congress,  and  other 
respectable  persons,  attended  it,  in  American  mourning. 
This  silent  mark  of  respect,  flowing  spontaneously  from  the 
hearts  of  freemen  sympathizing  with  him  in  this  domestic 
misfortune,  manifests  sentiments  and  emotions  which  no 
language  can  express  in  a  manner  so  unequivocal  and  deli 
cate." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  14. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  September  19. — Monday 
evening  last  [September  14],  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  his  lady  and  family,  and  several  other  persons  of 
distinction,  were  pleased  to  honor  Mr.  Bowen's  exhibition 
of  wax-work,  with  their  company,  at  No.  74  Water-street, 
and  appeared  exceedingly  well  pleased  with  the  late  im 
provements  made  by  the  Proprietor." — Pennsylvania  Packet, 
September  24. 

"  New  York,  September  29. — Yesterday  morning  the  Light  Horse,  and  the 
other  Independent  Companies  in  this  city,  paraded  in  the  Broadway,  under 
the  immediate  command  of  Col.  Bauman  ;  from  whence  they  proceeded  to 
the  Race  Ground,  where  they  went  through  a  number  of  manosuvres  in  a 
manner  that  would  do  credit  to  regular  troops  ; — after  which  they  exhibited 
a  sham  fight,  that  afforded  the  highest  entertainment  to  the.  President,  his 
Excellency  the  Governor,  and  a  large  concourse  of  respectable  characters. n 
— Pennsylvania  Packet,  October  2. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  147 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  1. 

At  New  York :  "  October  1. — Exercised  in  my  carriage  in 
the  forenoon.  The  following  company  dined  here  to-day, 
viz :  Mr  [George]  Read  of  the  Senate,  Col°  [Theodoric] 
Bland  and  Mr  [James]  Madison  of  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives,  Mr  [Samuel]  Osgood  and  his  lady,  Col°  [William] 
Duer,  his  lady  and  Miss  Brown,  Col°  Lewis  Morris  and 
lady,  lady  Christiana  Griffin  [wife  of  Cyrus  Griffin]  and  her 
daughter,  and  Judge  [James]  Duane  and  Mrs  [General 
Nathanael]  Greene.  .  .  .  Mr  Thomas  Nelson  *  joined  my 
family  [as  a  secretary]  this  day." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  2. — Dispatching  Commissions  &c.  as  yesterday,  for  the  Judi 
ciary.  The  visitors  to  Mrs  "Washington  this  evening  were  not  numerous." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  3. 

At  New  York :  "  October  3. — Sat  for  Mr  Rammage  near 
two  hours  to-day,  who  was  drawing  a  miniature  Picture  of 
me  for  Mrs  Washington. 

"  Walked  in  the  afternoon,  and  sat  about  two  o'clock  for 
Madam  de  Brehan,  to  complete  a  miniature  profile  of  me, 
which  she  had  begun  from  memory,  and  which  she  had 
made  exceedingly  like  the  original." — Washington's  Diary. 

A  miniature  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  H.  S.  Stabler,  of  Baltimore,  Mary 
land,  is  claimed  to  be  the  "  miniature  Picture,"  by  Ramage,  referred  to  in 
the  Diary.  It  represents  Washington  in  uniform,  head  three-quarters  to  the 
left,  the  order  of  the  Cincinnati  on  the  left  breast,  and  is  beautifully  exe 
cuted.  A  reproduction  of  it  on  wood,  with  a  statement  as  to  its  authen 
ticity,  will  be  found  in  vol.  xlvii.,  p.  545,  of  The  Century  Magazine.  John 
Ramage,  an  Irishman  by  birth,  resided  in  New  York  until  1794,  when  he 
went  to  Canada,  where  he  died. 

Madame  de  Brehan,  sister  of  the  French  minister,  Count  de  Moustier, 
was  quite  a  skilful  amateur  artist  and  a  great  admirer  of  Washington.  On 
the  evening  of  the  day  of  the  inauguration  the  front  of  her  brother's  resi 
dence  on  Broadway  (afterward  occupied  by  the  President)  was  beautifully 
decorated  with  paintings  by  her  own  hand.  The  "miniature  profile,"  re- 

*  Son  of  General  Thomas  Nelson,  Governor  of  Virginia,  1781. 


148  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

ferred  to  in  the  Diary  as  "  exceedingly  like  the  original,"  has  been  engraved 
by  A.  F.  Sergent,  B.  Roger,  and  Charles  Burt.  Proofs  of  the  print  by 
Sergent,  executed  at  Paris  in  1790,  were  sent  to  the  President  after  her  return 
to  France.  Madame  de  Brehan  left  New  York  with  her  brother  about  the 
middle  of  October. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  4. 

At  New  York :  "  October  4.— Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chappel 
in  the  forenoon.  Spent  the  remainder  of  the  day  in  writing 
private  letters  for  to-morrow's  Post." — Washington 's  Diary. 

"  October  5. — Exercised  on  horseback  between  the  hours  of  9  and  11  in 
the  forenoon,  and  between  5  and  6  in  the  afternoon,  on  foot.  Hud  con 
versation  with  Col"  Hamilton  on  the  propriety  of  my  making  a  tour  through 
the  Eastern  States  during  the  recess  of  Congress,  to  acquire  knowledge  of  the 
face  of  the  Country,  the  growth  and  agriculture  thereof — and  the  temper  and 
disposition  of  the  inhabitants  towards  the  new  government,  who  thought  it  a 
very  desirable  plan,  and  advised  it  accordingly.  October  6. — Exercised  in  a 
carriage  with  M"  Washington  in  the  forenoon.  Conversed  with  Gen.  Knox, 
Secretary  of  War,  on  the  above  tour,  who  also  recommended  it  accordingly. 
October  7. — Exercised  on  horseback,  and  called  on  the  Vice-President.  In 
the  afternoon  walked  an  hour.  .  .  .  Upon  consulting  Mr  Jay  on  the  propriety 
of  my  intended  tour  into  the  Eastern  States,  he  highly  approved  of  it,  but 
observed,  a  similar  visit  w'd  be  expected  by  those  of  the  Southern." — Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  8. 

At  New  York :  "  October  8. — Mr  Gardoqui  took  leave, 
proposing  to  embark  to-morrow  for  Spain.*  The  following 
company  dined  with  me  to-day,  viz :  The  Vice-President, 
his  lady  and  son  and  her  niece,  with  their  son-in-law,  Col° 
[William  S.]  Smith  and  his  lady — Governor  Clinton  and 
his  two  eldest  daughters — Mr  [Tristram]  Dalton  and  his 

*  "  New  York,  October  14. — On  Saturday  [October  10]  sailed  the  snow 
San  Nicholas,  Melide,  for  Bilboa.  His  Excellency  Don  DIEGO  de  GARDO 
QUI,  Encargado  de  Negocios,  and  Minister  of  his  Catholic  Majesty  to  the 
United  States,  went  passenger  in  this  vessel,  accompanied  by  his  son,  and 
one  of  his  secretaries.  Previous  to  his  Excellency's  departure,  he  waited  on 
THE  PRESIDENT  of  the  United  States,  and  had  his  audience  of  leave  in  due 
form :  At  the  same  time  His  Excellency  introduced  the  Hon.  Mr.  VIAR,  as 
CHARGE  DES  AFFAIRES  from  His  Most  Catholic  Majesty." — Gazette  of  the 
United  States. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  149 

lady,  their  son-in-law,  Mr  Dubois,  and  his  lady,  and  their 
other  three  daughters. 

"  In  the  evening,  the  Count  de  Moustier  and  Madam  do 
Brehan  came  in  and  sat  an  hour.  Mr  Madison  took  his 
leave  to-day.  He  saw  no  impropriety  in  my  trip  to  the 
eastward." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  9. — Exercised  on  horseback  between  the  hours  of  9  and  11. 
Visited  in  my  route  the  gardens  of  Mr  Perry  and  Mr  Williamson.*  Re- 
ceived  from  the  French  Minister,  in  person,  official  notice  of  his  having 
reed,  leave  to  return  to  his  Court,  and  intended  embarkation.  .  .  .  The 
visitors  this  evening  to  M™  Washington  were  respectable,  both  of  gentle 
men  and  ladies.  October  10. — Pursuant  to  an  engagement  formed  on 
Thursday  last,  I  set  off  about  9  o'clock  in  my  barge  to  visit  Mr  Prince's 
fruit  gardens  and  shrubberies  at  Flushing,  on  Long  Island.  The  Vice- 
President,  Governor  of  the  State,  Mr  Izard,  Col°  Smith,  and  Majr  Jackson 
accompanied  me.  These  gardens,  except  in  the  number  of  young  fruit 
trees,  did  not  answer  my  expectations.  The  shrubs  were  trifling,  and  the 
flowers  not  numerous.  The  inhabitants  of  this  place  shewed  us  what  respect 
they  could,  by  making  the  best  use  of  one  cannon  to  salute.  On  our  return 
we  stopped  at  the  seats  of  General  and  Mr  Gouvernr  Morris  [Morrisania] 
and  viewed  a  barn  of  which  I  have  heard  the  latter  speak  much  belonging  to 
his  farm — but  it  was  not  of  a  construction  to  strike  my  fancy — nor  did  the 
conveniences  of  it  at  all  answer  their  cost.  From  hence  we  proceeded  to 
Harlaem,  where  we  were  met  by  M"  Washington,  M™  Adams  and  M™ 
Smith.  Dined  at  the  tavern  kept  by  a  Capt.  Mariner,  f  and  came  home  in 
the  evening.  October  11. — At  home  all  day — writing  private  letters." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBEE  12. 

At  New  York :  "  October  12. — Received  the  compliments 
of  the  Count  de  Penthere,  commanding  his  most  Christian 
Majesty's  Squadron  in  the  harbour  of  Boston — these  were 

*  Perry's  garden  was  on  the  west  side  of  the  Bloomingdale  road,  west  of 
the  present  Union  Square.  Williamson's  was  a  flower  and  nursery  garden, 
and  a  place  of  public  resort,  on  the  east  side  of  Greenwich  Street,  extending 
about  three  squares  up  from  Harrison  Street. 

f  Captain  William  Marriner,  who  had  been  associated  with  Captain  Adam 
Hyler  in  a  whale-boat  warfare  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York  during  a  part 
of  the  Revolution,  lived  at  Harlem  and  on  Ward's  Island  for  many  years 
after  the  war,  and  kept  a  tavern  at  each  place. 


150  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

sent  by  the  Marquis  de  Traversy  in  the  Active  Frigate ; 
who,  with  all  his  officers  were  presented  by  the  French 
Minister  at  one  o'clock." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  13. — At  two  o'clock  received  the  Address  from  the  People  called 
Quakers.*  A  good  many  gentlemen  attended  the  Levee  this  day.  October 
14. — Wrote  several  letters  to  France,  and  about  7  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
made  an  informal  visit  with  Mrs  Washington  to  the  Count  de  Moustier  and 
Madame  de  Brehan,  to  take  leave  of  them.  Into  the  hands  of  the  former  I 
committed  these  letters,  viz :  to  the  Count  de  Estaing,  Count  de  Roeham- 
beau,  the  Marqs.  de  la  Fayette  and  the  Marqs.  de  la  Rouirie. " — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  15. 

Leaves  New  York :  "  October  15. — Commenced  my  Jour 
ney  about  9  o'clock  for  Boston  and  a  tour  through  the 
Eastern  States,  f  The  Chief  Justice,  Mr.  Jay — and  the  Sec 
retaries  of  the  Treasury  and  "War  Departments  accompanied 
me  some  distance  out  of  the  city.  About  10  o'clock  it 
began  to  Rain,  and  continued  to  do  so  till  11,  when  we  ar 
rived  at  the  house  of  one  Hoyatt,  who  keeps  a  Tavern  at 
Kings-bridge,  where  we,  that  is,  Major  Jackson,  Mr.  Lear 
and  myself  with  six  servants,  which  composed  my  Retinue, 
dined.  After  dinner,  through  frequent  light  showers  we 
proceed'd  to  the  Tavern  of  a  Mrs.  Haviland  at  Rye.  .  .  . 
The  distance  of  this  day's  travel  was  31  miles,  in  which  we 
passed  through  (after  leaving  the  Bridge)  East  Chester, 
New  Rochelle,  and  Mamaroneck." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  16. — About  7  o'clock  we  left  the  Widow  Haviland's,  and  after 
passing  Horse  Neck,  six  miles  distant  from  Rye,  we  breakfasted  at  Stamford, 
[Connecticut]  which  is  6  miles  further.  .  .  .  At  Norwalk,  which  is  ten 
miles  further,  we  made  a  halt  to  feed  our  Horses.  .  .  .  From  hence  to  Fair- 

*  For  this  address  and  the  answer  to  it,  see  PENNA.  MAG.,  Vol.  XIII. 
p.  245. 

f  Congress  having  adjourned  from  the  29th  of  September  to  the  4th  of 
January,  1790,  the  President  resolved  to  embrace  the  opportunity  to  make  a 
tour  through  the  Eastern  States,  omitting  Rhode  Island,  that  State  not 
having,  as  yet,  accepted  the  Federal  Constitution. 


WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  151 

field,  where  we  dined  and  lodged,  is  12  miles.  October  17. — A  little  after 
sun-rise  we  left  Fairfield,  and  passing  through  Et.  Fairfield,  breakfasted  at 
Stratford,  wch.  is  ten  miles  from  Fairfield.  ...  At  this  place  I  was  received 
with  an  effort  of  Military  parade ;  and  was  attended  to  the  Ferry,  which  is 
near  a  mile  from  the  center  of  the  Town,  by  sevl.  Gentlemen  on  horse 
back.  .  .  .  From  the  Ferry  it  is  abt.  3  miles  to  Milford.  .  .  .  From  Milford 
we  took  the  lower  road  through  West  haven,  and  arrived  at  New  Haven 
before  two  o'clock  ;  we  had  time  to  walk  through  several  parts  of  the  City 
before  Dinner.  .  .  .  The  Address  [of  the  Assembly]  was  presented  at  7 
o'clock — and  at  nine  I  received  another  address  from  the  Congregational 
Clergy  of  the  place.  Between  the  rect.  of  the  two  addresses  I  received  the 
Compliment  of  a  visit  from  the  Govr.  Mr.  [Samuel]  Huntington — the  Lieut. 
Govr.  Mr.  [Oliver]  Wolcott — and  the  Mayor,  Mr.  Roger  Sherman." — Wash 
ington1  s  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBEE  18. 

At  New  Haven,  Connecticut :  "  October  18. — Went  in  the 
forenoon  to  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  the  afternoon  to 
one  of  the  Congregational  Meeting-Houses.  Attended  to 
the  first  by  the  Speaker  of  the  Assembly,  Mr.  Edwards, 
and  a  Mr.  Ingersoll,  and  to  the  latter  by  the  Governor,  the 
Lieut.  Governor,  the  Mayor,  and  Speaker. 

"  These  Gentlemen  all  dined  with  me,  (by  invitation,)  as 
did  Genl.  [Jedidiah]  Huntington,  at  the  House  of  Mr. 
Brown,  where  I  lodged,  and  who  keeps  a  good  Tavern. 
Drank  Tea  at  the  Mayor's  (Mr.  Sherman).  ...  At  7 
o'clock  in  the  evening  many  Officers  of  this  State,  belong 
ing  to  the  late  Continental  army,  called  to  pay  their  re 
spects  to  me." — Washington' 's  Diary. 

"  October  19. — Left  New-haven  at  6  o'clock,  and  arrived  at  Wallingford 
(13  miles)  by  half  after  8  o'clock,  where  we  breakfasted,  and  took  a  walk 
through  the  Town.  .  .  .  About  10  o'clock  we  left  this  place,  and  at  the  dis 
tance  of  8  miles  passed  through  Durham.  At  one  we  arrived  at  Middle- 
town,  on  Connecticut  River,  being  met  two  or  three  miles  from  it  by  the 
respectable  Citizens  of  the  place,  and  escorted  in  by  them.  While  dinner 
was  getting  ready  I  took  a  walk  round  the  Town,  from  the  heights  of  which 
the  prospect  is  beautiful.  .  .  .  Having  dined,  we  set  out  with  the  same 
Escort  (who  conducted  us  into  town)  about  3  o'clock  for  Hartford,  and 
passing  through  a  Parish  of  Middletown  and  Weathersfield,  we  arrived  at 
Harfd.  about  sundown.  At  Weathersfield  we  were  met  by  a  party  of  the 


152  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1789 

Hartford  light  horse,  and  a  number  of  Gentlemen  from  the  same  place  with 
Col°  [Jeremiah]  Wadsworth  at  their  head,  and  escorted  to  Bull's  Tavern 
where  we  lodged." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBEK   20. 

At  Hartford,  Connecticut :  "  October  20. — After  breakfast, 
accompanied  by  Col°  Wadsworth,  Mr.  [Oliver]  Ellsworth 
and  Col°  Jesse  Root,  I  viewed  the  "Woolen  Manufactory  at 
this  place,  which  seems  to  be  going  on  with  spirit.  Their 
Broadcloths  are  not  of  the  first  quality,  as  yet,  but  they  are 
good ;  as  are  their  Coatings,  Cassimeres,  Serges  and  Ever 
lastings  ;  of  the  first,  that  is,  broad-cloth,  I  ordered  a  suit 
to  be  sent  to  me  at  New  York — and  of  the  latter  a  whole 
piece,  to  make  breeches  for  my  servants.  All  the  parts  of 
this  business  are  performed  at  the  Manufactory  except  the 
spinning — this  is  done  by  the  Country  people,  who  are  paid 
by  the  cut.  .  .  .  Dined  and  drank  Tea  at  Col°  Wadsworth's, 
and  about  7  o'clock  received  from,  and  answered  the 
Address  of,  the  Town  of  Hartford." — Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBEK  21. 

At  Springfield,  Massachusetts  :  "  October  21. — By  promise 
I  was  to  have  Breakfasted  at  Mr.  Ellsworth's  at  Windsor, 
on  my  way  to  Springfield,  but  the  morning  proving  very 
wet,  and  the  rain  not  ceasing  till  past  10  o'clock,  I  did  not 
set  out  till  half  after  that  hour ;  I  called,  however,  on  Mr. 
Ellsworth  and  stay'd  there  near  an  hour — reached  Spring 
field  by  4  o'clock,  and  while  dinner  was  getting,  examined 
the  Continental  Stores  at  this  place.  ...  A  Col°  Worthing- 
ton,  Col°  Williams,  Adjutant  General  of  the  State  of  Massa 
chusetts,  Gen.  [William]  Shepherd  [Shepard],  Mr.  Lyman, 
and  many  other  Gentlemen  sat  an  hour  or  two  with  me  in 
the  evening  at  Parson's  Tavern,  where  I  lodged,  and  which 
is  a  good  House." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  22. — Set  out  at  7  o'clock  ;  came  to  Palmer,  at  the  House  of  one 
Scott,  where  we  breakfasted.  ...  At.  Brookland  [Brookfield]  we  fed  the 
Horses  and  dispatched  an  Express  which  was  sent  to  me  by  Govr.  Hancock 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  153 

— giving  notice  of  the  measures  he  was  about  to  pursue  for  my  reception  on 
the  Road,  and  in  Boston — with  a  request  to  lodge  at  his  House.  Continued 
on  to  Spencer,  10  miles  further,  and  lodged  at  the  House  of  one  Jenks,  who 
keeps  a  pretty  good  Tavern.  October  23. — Commenced  our  course  with  the 
Sun,  and  passing  through  Leicester,  met  some  Gentlemen  of  the  Town  of 
"Worcester,  on  the  line  between  it  and  the  former  to  escort  us.  Arrived 

about  10  o'clock  at  the  House  of where  we  breakfasted — distant  from 

Spencer  12  miles.  Here  we  were  received  by  a  handsome  Company  of 
Militia  Artillery  in  Uniform,  who  saluted  with  13  Guns  on  our  Entry  and 
departure.  At  this  place  also  we  met  a  Committee  from  the  Town  of 
Boston.  .  .  .  These  matters  [entrance  into  Boston]  being  settled,  the  Com 
mittee  set  forward  on  their  return — and  after  breakfast  I  followed.  The 
same  Gentlemen  who  had  escorted  me  into,  conducting  me  out  of  Town. 
On  the  Line  between  Worcester  and  Middlesex  I  was  met  by  a  Troop  of 
light  Horse  belonging  to  the  latter,  who  Escorted  me  to  Marlborough,  (16 
miles)  where  we  dined,  and  thence  to  Weston  (14  more)  where  we  lodged." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  24. 

At  Boston  :  "  October  24. — Dressed  by  Seven  o'clock,  and 
set  out  at  eight— at  ten  we  arrived  in  Cambridge,  according 
to  appointment ;  but  most  of  the  Militia  having  a  distance 
to  come,  were  not  in  line  till  after  eleven ;  they  made  how 
ever  an  excellent  appearance,  with  Qenl.  [John]  Brooks  at 
their  Head.  At  this  place  the  Lieut.  Govr.  Mr.  Saml. 
Adams,  with  the  Executive  Council,  met  me  and  proceeded 
my  entrance  into  town — which  was  in  every  degree  flat 
tering  and  honorable.  To  pass  over  the  Minutiae  of  the 
arrangement  for  this  purpose,  it  may  suffice  to  say  that  at 
the  entrance  I  was  welcomed  by  the  Selectmen  in  a  body.* 
Then  following  the  Lieut't  Govr.  and  Council  in  the  order 
we  came  from  Cambridge  (preceeded  by  the  Town  Corps, 
very  handsomely  dressed,)  we  passed  through  the  Citizens 
classed  in  their  different  professions,  and  under  their  own 

*  "At  one  o'clock,  The  President's  approach  was  announced  by  federal 
discharges  from  Capt.  WARNER'S  artillery  at  Roxbury — from  the  Dorchester 
artillery  posted  on  the  celebrated  heights  of  that  town — from  Capt.  Johnson's 
artillery  at  the  entrance  of  the  town — and  from  Castle  William  ;  by  a  royal 
salute  from  the  Ships  of  his  most  Christian  Majesty's  squadron,  and  by  the 
ringing  of  all  the  bells." — Massachusetts  Magazine,  October,  1789. 


154  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

banners,  till  we  came  to  the  State  House;  from  which 
across  the  Street  an  Arch  was  thrown;  in  the  front  of 
which  was  this  Inscription — '  To  the  Man  who  unites  all 
hearts' — and  on  the  other — '  To  Columbia's  favorite  Son' — 
and  on  one  side  thereof  next  the  State  House,  in  a  pannel 
decorated  with  a  trophy,  composed  of  the  Arms  of  the 
United  States — of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts — 
and  our  French  Allies,  crowned  with  a  wreath  of  Laurel, 
was  this  Inscription — 'Boston  relieved  March  17th,  1776.' 
This  Arch  was  handsomely  ornamented,  and  over  the 
Center  of  it  a  Canopy  was  erected  20  feet  high,  with  the 
American  Eagle  perched  on  the  top.  After  passing  through 
the  Arch,  and  entering  the  State  House  at  the  S°  End  and 
ascending  to  the  upper  floor  and  returning  to  a  Balcony  at 
the  N°  End ;  three  cheers  was  given  by  a  vast  concourse  of 
people  who  by  this  time  had  assembled  at  the  Arch — then 
followed  an  ode  composed  in  honor  of  the  President ;  *  and 
well  sung  by  a  band  of  select  singers — after  this  three 
Cheers — followed  by  the  different  Professions  and  Me 
chanics  in  the  order  they  were  drawn  up  with  their  colours 
through  a  lane  of  the  People,  which  had  thronged  abt.  the 
Arch  under  which  they  passed.  The  Streets,  the  Doors, 
windows  and  tops  of  the  Houses  were  crowded  with  well 
dressed  Ladies  and  Gentlemen.  The  procession  being  over, 
I  was  conducted  to  my  lodgings  at  a  "Widow  Ingersoll's, 
(which  is  a  very  decent  and  good  house)  by  the  Lieut.  Govr. 
and  Council — accompanied  by  the  Vice  President,  where 
they  took  leave  of  me.  Having  engaged  yesterday  to  take 
an  informal  dinner  with  the  Govr.  [John  Hancock]  to-day, 
but  under  a  full  persuasion  that  he  would  have  waited  upon 
me  so  soon  as  I  should  have  arrived — I  excused  myself 
upon  his  not  doing  it,  and  informing  me  thro'  his  Secretary 
that  he  was  too  much  indisposed  to  do  it,  being  resolved  to 

*  This  ode,  sung  by  the  Independent  Musical  Society,  was  published  in  the 
October  number  of  the  Massachusetts  Magazine. 


1789]          WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  155 

receive  the  visit.  Dined  at  my  Lodgings,  where  the  Vice- 
President  favoured  me  with  his  Company." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  October  25. — Attended  Divine  Service  at  the  Episcopal  Church,  whereof 
Doctor  [Samuel]  Parker  is  the  Incumbent,  in  the  forenoon,  and  the  Con 
gregational  Church  of  Mr.  [Peter]  Thatcher  in  the  afternoon. — Dined  at 
my  Lodgings  with  the  Vice-President.  Mr.  [James]  Bowdoin  accompanied 
me  to  both  Churches.  Between  the  two  I  received  a  visit  from  the  Govr. 
who  assured  me  that  indisposition  alone  prevented  his  doing  it  yesterday, 
and  that  he  was  still  indisposed ;  but  as  it  had  been  suggested  that  he 
expected  to  receive  the  visit  from  the  President  which  he  knew  was  im 
proper,  he  was  resolved  at  all  haz'ds  to  pay  his  Compliments  to-day.  Octo 
ber  26. — The  day  being  Kainy  and  Stormy,  myself  much  disordered  by  a 
cold,  and  inflammation  in  the  left  eye,  I  was  prevented  from  visiting  Lex 
ington,  (where  the  first  blood  in  the  dispute  with  G.  Brit'n  was  drawn). 
Eec'd  the  complim'ts  of  many  visits  to-day.  Mr.  Dalton  and  Genl.  [David] 
Cobb  dined  with  me,  and  in  the  Evening  drank  Tea  with  Gov'r  Hancock, 
and  called  upon  Mr.  Bowdoin  on  my  return  to  my  lodgings.  October  27. — 
At  10  o'clock  in  the  Morning  received  the  visits  of  the  Clergy  of  the  Town. 
At  11  I  went  to  an  Oratorio  [at  King's  Chapel] — and  between  that  and  3 
o'clock  rec'd  the  Addresses  of  the  Governor  and  Council — of  the  Town  of 
Boston — of  the  President  [Joseph  Willard],  &c  of  Harvard  College,  and  of 
the  Cincinnati  of  the  State ;  after  wch.  at  3  o'clock,  1  dined  at  a  large  and 
elegant  Dinner  at  Fanuiel  Hall,  given  by  the  Gov'r  and  Council,  and  spent 
the  evening  at  my  lodgings.  October  28. — At  11  o'clock  I  embarked  on 
board  the  Barge  of  the  Illustrious,  Captn.  Penthere  Gion  [commander  of 
the  French  squadron],  and  visited  his  Ship  and  the  Superb,  another  74  Gun 
Ship  in  the  Harbour  of  Boston,  about  4  miles  below  the  Town.  Going  and 
coming  I  was  saluted  by  the  two  frigates  which  lye  near  the  wharves,  and 
by  the  74s  after  I  had  been  on  board  of  them ;  as  also  by  the  40  Gun  Ship 
which  lay  in  the  same  range  with  them.  I  was  also  saluted  going  and 
coming  by  the  fort  on  Castle  Isld.  After  my  return  I  dined  in  a  large  com 
pany  at  Mr.  Bowdoin's,  and  went  to  the  Assembly  in  the  evening,  where  (it 
is  said)  there  were  upwards  of  100  Ladies.  Their  appearance  was  elegant, 
and  many  of  them  very  handsome  ;  the  Koom  is  small  but  neat,  and  well 
ornamented." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  29. 

At  Salem,  Massachusetts :  "  October  29. — Left  Boston 
about  8  o'clock.  Passed  over  the  Bridge  at  Charles-Town, 
and  went  to  see  that  at  Maiden,  but  proceeded  to  the  Col 
lege  at  Cambridge,  attended  by  the  Vice-President,  Mr. 


156  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

Bowdoin,  and  a  great  number  of  Gentlemen.  .  .  .  From 
Boston,  besides  the  number  of  citizens  which  accompanied 
me  to  Cambridge,  and  many  of  them  from  thence  to  Lynn 
— the  Boston  Corps  of  Horse  escorted  me  to  the  line  be 
tween  Middlesex  and  Essex  County,  where  a  party  of 
Horse,  with  Genl.  [Jonathan]  Titcornb,  met  me,  and  con 
ducted  me  through  Marblehead  to  Salem.  .  .  .  At  the 
Bridge,  2  miles  from  this  Town,  we  were  also  met  by  a 
Committee,  who  conducted  us  by  a  Brigade  of  the  Militia 
and  one  or  two  handsome  Corps  in  Uniform,  through 
several  of  the  Streets  to  the  Town  or  Court  House,  where 
an  Ode  in  honor  of  the  President  was  sung — an  Address 
presented  to  him  amidst  the  acclamations  of  the  People ; 
after  which  he  was  conducted  to  his  Lodgings.  Rec'd  the 
Compliments  of  many  differt.  classes  of  People,  and  in  the 
evening,  between  7  and  8  o'clock,  went  to  an  Assembly, 
where  there  was  at  least  an  hundred  handsome  and  well 
dressed  Ladies.  Abt.  nine  I  returned  to  my  Lodgings." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

FKIDAY,  OCTOBER  30. 

At  Newburyport,  Massachusetts :  "  October  30. — A  little 
after  8  o'clock  I  set  out  for  Newbury-Port ;  and  in  less  than 
2  miles  crossed  the  Bridge  between  Salem  and  Beverly. 
.  .  .  After  passing  Beverley,  2  miles,  we  come  to  the  Cotton 
Manufactury.  .  .  .  From  this  place,  with  escorts  of  Horse, 
I  passed  on  to  Ipswich,  about  10  miles ;  at  the  entrance  of 
which  I  was  met  and  welcomed  by  the  Select  men,  and  re 
ceived  by  a  Regm't  of  Militia.  At  this  place  I  was  met  by 
Mr.  Dalton  and  some  other  Gentlemen  from  Newburyport; 
partook  of  a  cold  collation,  and  proceeded  on  to  the  last 
mentioned  place,  where  I  was  received  with  much  respect 
and  parade,  about  4  o'clock.  In  the  evening  there  were 
rockets  and  some  other  fireworks — and  every  other  dem 
onstration  to  welcome  me  to  the  Town." — Washington's 
Diary. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  157 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  31. 

At  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire :  "  October  31. — Left 
Newbury-port  a  little  after  8  o'clock  (first  breakfasting 
with  Mr.  Dalton)  .  .  .  and  in  three  miles  came  to  the  line 
wch.  divides  the  State  of  Massachusetts  from  that  of  New 
Hampshire.  Here  I  took  leave  of  Mr.  Dalton  and  many 
other  private  Gentlemen  who  accompanied  me;  also  of 
Gen'l  Titcomb,  who  had  met  me  on  the  line  between  Mid 
dlesex  and  Essex  Counties — Corps  of  light  Horse,  and  many 
officers  of  Militia — and  was  rec'd  by  the  President  of  the 
State  of  New  Hampshire  [John  Sullivan] — the  Vice-Presi 
dent  [John  Pickering] ;  some  of  the  Council — Messrs. 
Langdon  and  Wingate  of  the  Senate — Col°  [John]  Parker, 
Marshall  of  the  State,  and  many  other  respectable  charac 
ters;  besides  several  Troops  of  well  cloathed  Horse  in 
handsome  Uniforms,  and  many  officers  of  the  Militia  also 
in  handsome  (white  and  red)  uniforms  of  the  Manufacture 
of  the  State.  With  this  cavalcade,  we  proceeded,  and 
arrived  before  8  o'clock  at  Portsmouth  where  we  were 
received  with  every  token  of  respect  and  appearance  of 
cordiality,  under  a  discharge  of  artillery.  The  streets, 
doors  and  windows  were  crowded  here,  as  at  all  the  other 
Places ;  and  alighting  at  the  Town  House,  odes  were  sung 
and  played  in  honor  of  the  President.  The  same  happened 
yesterday  at  my  entrance  into  Newburyport — being  stopped 
at  my  entrance  to  hear  it.  From  the  Town  House  I  went 
to  Colonel  Brewster's  Ta'n,  the  place  provided  for  my  resi 
dence  ;  and  asked  the  President,  Vice-President,  the  two 
Senators,  the  Marshall,  and  Majr.  [Nicholas]  Grilman  to 
dine  with  me,  which  they  did ;  after  which  I  drank  Tea  at 
Mr.  Langdons." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  November  1. — Attended  by  the  President  of  the  State  (Genl.  Sullivan), 
Mr.  Langdon,  and  the  Marshall,  I  went  in  the  forenoon  to  the  Episcopal 
Church,  under  the  incumbency  of  a  Mr.  Ogden  ;  and  in  the  afternoon  to  one 
of  the  Presbyterian  or  Congregational  Churches,  in  which  a  Mr.  [Joseph] 
Buckminster  Preached.  Dined  at  home  with  the  Marshall,  and  spent  the 


158  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

afternoon  in  my  own  room  writing  letters.  November  2. — Having  made 
previous  preparations  for  it,  about  8  o'clock,  attended  by  the  President,  Mr. 
Langdon,  and  some  other  Gentlemen,  I  went  in  a  boat  to  view  the  harbour 
of  Portsmouth.  ...  In  iny  way  to  the  mouth  of  the  Harbour,  I  stopped  at 
a  place  called  Kittery,  in  the  Province  of  Maine.  .  .  .  From  hence  I  went 
by  the  old  Fort  (formerly  built  while  under  the  English  government)  on  an 
Island  which  is  at  the  entrance  of  the  harbour,  and  where  the  Light  House 
stands.  As  we  passed  this  Fort  we  were  saluted  by  13  Guns.  Having 
Lines,  we  proceeded  to  the  Fishing  banks  a  little  without  the  Harbour,  and 
fished  for  Cod ;  but  it  not  being  a  proper  time  of  tide,  we  only  caught  two, 
with  w'ch,  about  1  o'clock,  we  returned  to  Town.  Dined  at  Mr.  Langdon's 
and  drank  Tea  there,  with  a  large  circle  of  Ladies,  and  retired  a  little  after 
seven  o'clock.  Before  dinner  I  rec'd  an  address  from  the  Town,  presented 
by  the  Vice- President." — Washington's  Diary. 


TUESDAY,  NOVEMBEK  3. 

At  Portsmouth :   "  November  3. — Sat  two  hours  in  the 

forenoon  for  a  Mr Painter,*  of  Boston,  at  the  request 

of  Mr.  Breck  of  that  place ;  who  wrote  Majr.  Jackson  that 
it  was  an  earnest  desire  of  many  of  the  Inhabitants  of  that 
Town  that  he  might  be  indulged.  .  .  .  About  2  o'clock,  I 
received  an  Address  from  the  Executive  of  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire,  and  in  half  an  hour  after  dined  with  them 
and  a  large  company,  at  their  assembly  room,  which  is  one 
of  the  best  I  have  seen  anywhere  in  the  United  States.  At 
half  after  seven  I  went  to  the  assembly,  where  there  were 
about  75  well  dressed,  and  many  of  them  very  handsome 
ladies — among  whom  (as  was  also  the  case  at  the  Salem  and 
Boston  assemblies)  were  a  greater  proportion  with  much 
blacker  hair  than  are  usually  seen  in  the  Southern  States. 
About  nine  I  returned  to  my  quarters." — Washington's 
Diary. 


*  The  painter,  whose  name  is  not  mentioned  in  the  Diary,  was  Christian 
Gulager,  a  Dane,  who  settled  in  Boston  about  the  year  1781.  He  left  that 
city  in  1791,  and  after  living  in  New  York  for  some  years,  went  to  Phila 
delphia,  where  he  died  in  1827.  His  portrait  of  Washington  was  engraved 
by  William  E.  Marshall,  and  published  in  the  "  Proceedings  of  the  Massa 
chusetts  Historical  Society,"  vol.  i.,  1855-58. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  159 

"  November  4. — About  half  after  seven  I  left  Portsmouth,  quietly,  and 
without  any  attendance,  having  earnestly  entreated  that  all  parade  and 
ceremony  might  he  avoided  on  my  return.  Before  ten  I  reached  Exeter,  14 
miles  distance.  .  .  .  From  hence,  passing  through  Kingstown,  (6  miles 
from  Exeter)  I  arrived  at  Haverhill  [Massachusetts]  about  half-past  two, 
and  stayed  all  night.  Walked  through  the  town,  which  stands  at  the  head 
of  the  tide  of  Merrimack  Eiver,  and  in  a  beautiful  part  of  the  country." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  5. 

At  Watertown,  Massachusetts :  "  November  5. — About 
sunrise  I  set  out,  crossing  the  Merrimack  River  at  the 
town,  over  to  the  township  of  Bradford,  and  in  nine  miles 
came  to  Abbot's  tavern  in  Andover,  where  we  breakfasted, 
and  met  with  much  attention  from  Mr.  [Samuel]  Phillips, 
President  of  the  Senate  of  Massachusetts,  who  accompanied 
us  through  Bellariki  [Billerica]  to  Lexington,  where  I 
dined,  and  viewed  the  spot  on  which  the  first  blood  was 
spilt  in  the  dispute  with  Great  Britain,  on  the  19th  of 
April,  1775.  Here  I  parted  with  Mr.  Phillips,  and  pro 
ceeded  on  to  Watertown.  .  .  .  We  lodged  in  this  place  at 
the  house  of  a  Widow  Coolidge,  near  the  Bridge,  and  a 
very  indifferent  one  it  is." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"November  6. — A  little  after  seven  o'clock,  under  great  appearances  of 
rain  or  snow,  we  left  Watertown,  and  passing  through  Needham  (five  miles 
therefrom)  breakfasted  at  Sherburn,  which  is  14  miles  from  the  former. 
Then  passing  through  Holliston,  5  miles,  Milford  6  more,  Menden  4  more, 
and  Uxbridge  6  more,  we  lodged  at  one  Taft's,  1  mile  further;  the  whole 
distance  of  this  day's  travel  being  36  miles.  November  1. — Left  Taft's  before 
sunrise,  and  passing  through  Douglass  wood,  breakfasted  at  one  Jacobs'  in 
Thompson  [Connecticut],  12  miles  distant;  not  a  good  house.  Bated  the 
horses  in  Pomfret,  at  Col°  Grosvenor's  distant  11  miles  from  Jacobs',  and 
lodged  at  Squire  Perkins'  in  Ashford,  (called  10  miles,  but  must  be  12). 
November  8. — It  being  contrary  to  law  and  disagreeable  to  the  People  of 
this  State  (Connecticut)  to  travel  on  the  Sabbath  day — and  my  horses,  after 
passing  through  such  intolerable  roads,  wanting  rest,  I  stayed  at  Perkins' 
tavern  (which,  by  the  bye,  is  not  a  good  one,)  all  day — and  a  meeting-house 
being  within  a  few  rods  of  the  door,  I  attended  morning  and  evening  service, 
and  heard  very  lame  discourses  from  a  Mr.  [Enoch]  Pond." — Washington's 
Diary. 


160  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  9. 

At  Hartford,  Connecticut :  "  November  9. — Set  out  about 
7  o'clock,  and  for  the  first  24  miles  had  hilly,  rocky,  and 
disagreeable  roads ;  the  remaining  10  was  level  and  good, 
but  in  places  sandy.  Arrived  at  Hartford  a  little  before 
four.  We  passed  through  Mansfield  .  .  .  and  breakfasted 
at  one  Brigham's,  in  Coventry." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  November  10. — Left  Hartford  about  7  o'clock.  .  .  .  Breakfasted  at 
"Worth ington,  in  the  township  of  Berlin,  at  the  house  of  one  Fuller.  Bated 
at  Smith's  on  the  plains  of  Wallingford,  13  miles  from  Fuller's  which  is  the 
distance  Fuller's  is  from  Hartford — and  got  into  New  Haven  which  is  13 
miles  more,  about  half  an  hour  before  sun-down.  At  this  place  I  met  Mr. 
[Elbridge]  Gerry,  in  the  stage  from  New  York,  who  gave  me  the  first  cert'n 
acct.  of  the  health  of  Mrs.  Washington.  November  11. — Set  out  about  sun 
rise,  and  took  the  upper  road  to  Milford,  it  being  shorter  than  the  lower  one 
through  West  Haven.  Breakfasted  at  the  former.  Baited  at  Fairfield  \ 
and  dined  and  lodged  at  a  Maj.  Marvin's  9  miles  further.  November  12. — 
A  little  before  sunrise  we  left  Marvin's,  and  breakfasting  at  Stamford,  13 
miles  distant,  reached  the  Widow  Haviland's,  12  miles  further ;  where,  on 
acct.  of  some  lame  horses,  we  remained  all  night." — Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  13. 

At  New  York  :  "  November  13. — Left  Mrs.  Haviland's  as 
soon  as  we  could  see  the  road,  and  breakfasted  at  Hoyet's 
tavern,  this  side  Kings-bridge,  and  between  two  and  three 
o'clock  arrived  at  my  house  at  New  York,  where  I  found 
Mrs.  "Washington  and  the  rest  of  the  family  all  well — and 
it  being  Mrs.  Washington's  night  to  receive  visits,  a  pretty 
large  company  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  were  present." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  New  York,  November  14.— Yesterday,  at  one  o'clock,  THE  PRESI 
DENT  of  the  United  States  returned  to  this  city  in  perfect  health,  from  his 
tour  thro  the  Eastern  States.  This  event  was  announced  by  a  federal  salute 
from  the  Battery." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  14. 

At  New  York :  "  November  14. — At  home  all  day — except 
taking  a  walk  round  the  Battery  in  the  afternoon.  At  4 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  161 

o'clock  received  and  answered  an  Address  from  the  Presi 
dent  [John  Wheelock]  and  Corporation  of  Dartmouth  Col 
lege  [Hanover,  New  Hampshire] — and  about  noon  sundry 
visits." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  November  15. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon — and  after 
returning  from  thence  was  visited  by  Majr.  Butler,  Majr.  Meredith  and  Mr 
Smith,  So.  Car'a.  Keceived  an  invitation  to  attend  the  Funeral  of  M™ 
[Isaac]  Eoosevelt  (the  wife  of  a  Senator  of  this  State),  but  declined  com 
plying  with  it — first,  because  the  propriety  of  accepting  any  invitation  of 
this  sort  appeared  very  questionable — and  secondly  (though  to  do  it  in  this 
instance  might  not  be  improper),  because  it  might  be  difficult  to  discriminate 
in  cases  which  might  thereafter  happen.  November  16. — The  Commissioners 
[General  Lincoln,  Colonel  Humphreys,  and  David  Griffin],  who  had  re 
turned  from  the  proposed  treaty  with  the  Creek  Indians  before  me  to  this 
city,  dined  with  me  to-day,  as  did  their  Secretary,  Col°  Franks,  and  young 
Mr  Lincoln,  who  accompanied  them.  November  17. — The  visitors  at  the 
Levee  to-day  were  numerous.  November  18. — Took  a  walk  in  the  forenoon, 
and  called  upon  Mr  Jay  on  business,  but  he  was  not  within.  On  my  return, 
paid  Mr  Vaughan  Senr  a  visit,  informal." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  19. 

At  New  York  :  "  November  19. — The  following  company 
dined  here  to-day,  viz  :  Mra  Adams  (lady  to  the  Vice-Presi 
dent)  Col°  [William  S.]  Smith  and  lady,  and  Miss  Smith, 
Mrs  Adam's  niece — Govr  Clinton  and  lady,  and  Miss  Cor 
nelia  Clinton — and  Maj.  Butler,  his  lady  and  two  daugh 
ters." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  November  20. — The  visitors  of  gent'n  and  ladies  to  Mrs  Washington  this 
evening  were  numerous  and  respectable.  November  21. — Received  in  the 
afternoon  the  Report  from  the  Commissioners  appointed  to  treat  with  the 
Southern  Indians — gave  it  one  reading — and  shall  bestow  another  and  more 
attentive  one  on  it.  November  22. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  fore 
noon — heard  a  charity  sermon  for  the  benefit  of  the  Orphan's  School  of  this 
city.  November  23. — Rid  five  or  six  miles  between  breakfast  and  dinner. 
Called  upon  Mr  Vanberckel  *  and  Mrs  Adams.  November  24. — A  good  deal 
of  company  at  the  Levee  to-day.  Went  to  the  play  in  the  evening — sent 
tickets  to  the  following  ladies  and  gentlemen  and  invited  them  to  seats  in 


*  Peter  John  Van  Berckel,  of  Rotterdam,  minister  to  the  United  States 
from  the  United  Netherlands. 

11 


162  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

my  box  viz : — Mrs  Adams  (lady  of  the  Vice- President),  Genl.  [Philip] 
Schuyler  and  lady,  Mr  [Rufus]  King  and  lady,  Majr  Butler  and  lady,  Col° 
Hamilton  and  lady,  Mrs  Green — all  of  whom  accepted  and  came,  except  Mr* 
Butler,  who  was  indisposed." — Washington's  Diary. 


WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  25. 

At  New  York :  "  November  25. — Exercised  on  horseback 
between  breakfast  and  dinner — in  which,  returning,  I  called 
upon  Mr  Jay  and  Gen.  Knox  on  business — and  made  in 
formal  visits  to  the  Govr,  Mr  Izard,  Gen1  Schuyler,  and 
MrB  Dalton.  The  following  company  dined  with  me,  viz  : 
Doctr  [William  8.]  Johnson  and  lady  and  daughter  (Mr8 
Neely)  Mr  Izard  and  lady  and  son,  Mr  [William]  Smith 
(So.  Carolina)  and  lady,  Mr  Kean  and  lady,  and  the  Chief 
Justice,  Mr  Jay. 

"  After  which  I  went  with  Mrs  Washington  to  the  dancing 
assembly,  at  which  I  stayed  until  10  o'clock." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

"  November  26. — Being  the  day  appointed  for  a  thanksgiving,*  I  went 
to  St.  Paul's  Chapel,  though  it  was  most  inclement  and  stormy — but  few 
people  at  Church.  November  27. — Not  many  visitors  this  evening  to  Mra 
Washington.  November  28. — Exercised  on  horseback.  November  29. — Went 
to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon.  November  30  — Went  to  the  Play  in 
the  evening,  and  presented  tickets  to  the  following  persons,  viz :  Docf 
Johnson  and  lady,  Mr  Dalton  and  lady,  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United 
States  and  Secretary  of  War  and  lady,  Baron  de  Steuben,  and  Mrs  Green. 
December  1. — A  pretty  full  Levee  to-day — among  the  visitors  was  the  Vice- 
President  and  all  the  Senators  in  town.  Exercised  on  horseback  between 
10  and  12.  December  2. — Exercised  in  the  post  chaise  with  Mra  Washing- 

*  On  the  29th  of  September  the  first  session  of  the  first  Congress  was 
brought  to  a  close.  Before  their  adjournment  the  two  Houses  appointed  a 
joint  committee  to  wait  on  the  President  and  "  request  that  he  would  rec 
ommend  to  the  people  of  the  United  States  a  day  of  public  thanksgiving 
and  prayer  to  be  observed  by  acknowledging,  with  grateful  hearts,  the  many 
and  signal  favors  of  Almighty  God,  especially  by  aflTording  them  an  oppor 
tunity  peacefully  to  establish  a  constitution  of  government  for  their  safety 
and  happiness."  The  proclamation  recommending  Thursday,  November  26, 
for  a  national  thanksgiving  was  issued  on  Saturday,  October  3. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  163 

ton — visited  on  our  return  the  Vice-President  and  family — afterwards 
walked  to  Mr  King's — neither  he  nor  his  lady  were  at  home,  or  to  be 
seen." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  3. 

At  New  York  :  "  December  3. — The  following  gentlemen 
and  ladies  dined  here,  viz  :  Gen.  Schuyler,  his  lady  and 
daughter  (M™  [Stephen  Van]  Ilanselaer)  Mr  Dalton  and  his 
lady,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  his  lady,  Gen. 
Knox  and  lady,  and  M™  Greene,  Baron  de  Steuben,  Col° 
Osgood  (Post  Master  Gen1),  and  the  Treasurer  Majr  [Sam 
uel]  Meredith." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"December  4. — A  great  number  of  visiters  (gentlemen  and  ladies)  this 
evening  to  Mrs  Washington.  The  Governor  of  New  Jersey  [William  Liv 
ingston],  and  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly  of  that  State  [John 
Beatty],  presented  an  Address  from  the  Legislature  thereof  and  received  an 
answer  to  it,  after  which  they  dined  with  me.  December  5. — Exercised  on 
horseback  between  10  and  12  o'clock.  The  Vice-President  and  lady  and 
two  sons — Col°  Smith  and  lady,  and  his  sister,  and  Mrs  Adam's  niece,  dined 
here.  December  6. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon.  December 
1. — Walked  round  the  Battery  in  the  afternoon.  December  8. — Finished 
my  extracts  from  the  Commissioners'  Report  of  their  proceedings  at  the 
Treaty  with  the  Creek  Indians — and  from  many  other  papers  respecting 
Indian  matters  and  the  Western  Territory.  A  full  levee  to-day.  December 
9. — Walked  round  the  Battery." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  10. 

At  New  York :  "  December  10. — Exercised  on  horseback 
between  10  and  12  o'clock.  The  following  company  dined 
here  to-day,  viz  :  Mr"  King  and  Mr  and  M™  [William]  Few, 
Mr  and  Mrs  Harrison,  Mr  and  M™  [Oliver]  Wolcott,  Mr  Duer, 
his  lady,  and  Miss  Brown,  Mr  [Samuel]  Griffin  and  lady, 
and  Lady  Christiana  and  her  daughter." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  December  11. — Being  rainy  and  bad,  no  person  except  the  Vice-Presi 
dent  visited  M"  Washington  this  evening.  December  12. — Exercised  in  the 
coach  with  Mrs  Washington  and  the  two  children  (Master  [George  Wash- 


164  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1789 

ington  Parke]  and  Miss  [Nelly]  Custis),  between  breakfast  and  dinner — 
went  the  14  miles  round.  December  13. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the 
forenoon.  December  14. — Walked  round  the  Battery  in  the  afternoon. 
December  15. — Exercised  on  horseback  about  10  o'clock — called  on  the  Sec 
retary  for  the  Department  of  War,  and  gave  him  the  heads  of  many  letters 
to  be  written  to  characters  in  the  Western  Country,  relative  chiefly  to  Indian 
Affairs.  Visitors  to  the  levee  to-day  were  not  very  numerous,  though  re 
spectable.  December  16. — Dined  with  M"  Washington  and  all  the  family 
(except  the  two  children)  at  Governor  Clinton's — where  also  dined  the  Vice- 
President,  his  lady,  Col°  and  Mrs  Smith,  the  Mayor  (Col°  [Kichard]  Varick) 
and  his  lady,  and  old  Mr  Van  Berkel  and  his  daughter." — Washington's 
Diary. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  17. 

At  New  York:  "  December  17. — The  following  company 
dined  here,  viz  :  The  Chief  Justice  of  the  U.  States  and 
his  lady;  Mr  King,  Col°  and  Mrs  [John]  Lawrence,  M™ 
[Elbridge]  Gerry,  Mr  Egbert  Benson,  Bishop  Provost  [Pro- 
voost],  and  Doctr.  Lynn*  and  his  lady." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  December  18. — Eead  over  and  digested  my  thoughts  upon  the  subject 
of  a  National  Militia,  from  the  plans  of  the  militia  of  Europe,  those  of  the 
Secretary  at  War,  and  the  Baron  de  Steuben.  December  19. — Committed 
the  above  thoughts  to  writing,  in  order  to  send  them  to  the  Secretary  for 
the  Department  of  War,  to  be  worked  into  the  form  of  a  Bill,  with  which 
to  furnish  the  Committee  of  Congress  which  had  been  appointed  to  draught 
one.  December  20. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon.  December 
21. — Framed  the  above  thoughts  on  the  subject  of  a  National  Militia  into 
the  form  of  a  Letter,  and  sent  it  to  the  Secretary  for  the  Department  of 
War.  Sat  from  ten  to  one  o'clock  for  a  Mr  Savage,  to  draw  my  Portrait  for 
the  University  of  Cambridge,  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  at  the  request 
of  the  President  and  Governors  of  the  said  University."! — Washington's 
Diary. 

*  William  Linn,  first  chaplain  of  the  United  States  House  of  Representa 
tives. 

f  The  bust  portrait  painted  by  Edward  Savage  from  this  and  the  subse 
quent  sittings  recorded  in  the  Diary  is  still  owned  by  Harvard  College.  It 
represents  Washington  in  uniform,  with  the  order  of  the  Cincinnati  on  the 
left  breast,  and  has  always  been  considered  a  faithful  likeness  of  the  great 
original.  Mr.  Savage  afterward  (1792)  engraved  this  portrait  in  the  stipple 
manner.  Impressions  are  held  in  much  esteem  by  good  judges  of  the  art. 


1789]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  165 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  22. 

At  New  York :  "  December  22. — A  pretty  full  and  re 
spectable  Levee  to-day — at  which  several  members  of  Con 
gress,  newly  arrived,  attended." — Washington's  Diary. 

11  December  23. — Exercised  in  the  Post-Chaise  with  M™  Washington  to 
day.  Sent  the  dispatches  which  came  to  me  from  the  Assembly  of  Virginia, 
and  from  the  Representatives  of  several  Counties  therein,  respecting  the  state 
of  the  frontiers  and  depredations  of  the  Indians,  to  the  Secretary  for  the 
Department  of  "War,  requesting  his  attendance  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock,  that 
I  might  converse  more  fully  with  him  on  the  subject  of  the  communications. 
December  24. — The  Secretary  of  War  coming  according  to  appointment,  he 
was  instructed,  after  conversing  fully  on  the  matter,  what  answers  to  return 
to  the  Executive  of  Virginia,  and  to  the  Representatives  of  the  frontier 
counties.  December  25. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon.  The 
visitors  to  Mrs  Washington  this  afternoon  were  not  numerous,  but  respecta 
ble." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  26. 

At  New  York :  "  December  26. — Exercised  on  horseback 
in  the  forenoon.  Chief  Justice  Morris  and  the  Mayor  (Col° 
Varick),  and  their  ladies,  Judge  [John  Sloss]  Hobart,  Col° 
Cole,  Majr  [Nicholas]  Oilman,  M"  Brown,  Secretary  Otis,* 
and  Mr  Beekley,f  dined  here." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  December  27. — At  home — all  day — weather  bad.  December  28. — Sat  all 
the  forenoon  for  Mr  Savage,  who  was  taking  my  portrait.  December  29. — 
Being  very  snowing,  not  a  single  person  appeared  at  the  Levee.  December 
30. — Exercised  in  a  carriage.  December  31. — Bad  weather  and  close  house. 
The  Vice-President  and  lady,  Col°  Smith  and  lady,  Chanr  Livingston,  lady 
and  sister,  Baron  Steuben,  Messrs.  [Alexander]  White,  [Elbridge]  Gerry, 
[George]  Partridge  and  [Thomas  T.]  Tucker,  of  the  House  of  Representa 
tives,  dined  here  to-day." — Washington's  Diary. 

*  Samuel  Allyne  Otis,  of  Massachusetts,  Secretary  of  the  United  States 
Senate. 

f  John  Beckley,  of  Virginia,  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 


1790. 


FRIDAY,  JANUARY  1. 

At  New  York:  "January  1. — The  Vice-President,  the 
Governor,  the  Senators,  Members  of  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives  in  Town,  foreign  public  characters,  and  all  the 
respectable  citizens,  came  between  the  hours  of  12  and  3 
o'clock,  to  pay  the  compliments  of  the  season  to  me — and 
in  the  afternoon  a  great  number  of  gentlemen  and  ladies 
visited  M™  Washington  on  the  same  occasion." —  Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

"  January  2. — Exercised  in  the  carriage  with  M"  Washington.  .  .  . 
Drank  tea  at  the  Chief  Justice's  of  the  U.  States.  January  3. — Went  to  St. 
Paul's  Chapel.  January  4. — Informed  the  President  of  the  Senate,  and 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Kepresentatives  that  I  had  some  oral  communica 
tions  to  make  to  Congress  when  each  house  had  a  quorum,  and  desired  to  be 
informed  thereof — and  of  the  time  and  place  they  would  receive  them.* 
Walked  round  the  Battery  in  the  afternoon.  January  5. — Several  Members 
of  Congress  called  in  the  forenoon  to  pay  their  respects  on  their  arrival  in 
town,  but  though  a  respectable  Levee,  at  the  usual  hour,  three  o'clock,  the 
visitors  were  not  numerous.  January  6. — Sat  from  half  after  8  o'clock  till 
10  for  the  portrait  painter,  Mr  Savage,  to  finish  the  picture  of  me  which  he 
had  begun  for  the  University  of  Cambridge.  In  the  afternoon  walked 
around  the  Battery.  Miss  Anne  Brown  stayed  here,  on  a  visit  to  M"  Wash 
ington,  to  a  family  dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  JANUARY  7. 

At  New  York  :  "  January  7. — About  one  o'clock  rec'd  a 
Committee  from  both  Houses  of  Congress,f  informing  me 


*  The  second  session  of  the  first  Congress  commenced  on  the  4th  of  Jan 
uary,  1790.  Ten  members  only  of  the  Senate  having  answered  to  their 
names,  the  Senate  was  adjourned  for  want  of  a  quorum.  A  quorum  of  both 
houses  appeared  on  the  6th. 

f  Messrs.  Strong  and  Izard,  on  the  part  of  the  Senate,  and  Messrs.  Gilman, 
Ames,  and  Seney,  in  behalf  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
166 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  167 

that  each  had  made  a  house,  and  would  be  ready  at  any 
time  I  should  appoint  to  receive  the  communications  I  had 
to  make  in  the  Senate  Chamber.  Named  to-morrow,  11 
o'clock,  for  this  purpose. 

"  The  following  gentlemen  dined  here,  viz :  Messrs. 
[John]  Langdon,  [Paine]  Wingate,  [Caleb]  Strong,  and 
[William]  Few,  of  the  Senate,  the  Speaker  [Frederick  A. 
Muhlenberg],  Gen1  [Peter]  Muhlenberg,  and  [Thomas] 
Scott,  of  Pennsylvania,  Judge  [Samuel]  Livermore  and 
[Abiel]  Foster,  of  New  Hampshire,  [Fisher]  Ames  and 
[George]  Thatcher  and  [Benjamin]  Goodhue,  of  Massachu 
setts,  Mr  [Edanus]  Burke,  of  South  Carolina,  and  Mr 
[Abraham]  Baldwin,  of  Georgia." — Washington's  Diary. 

"January  8. — According  to  appointment,  at  11  o'clock,  I  set  out  for  the 
City  Hall  in  my  coach,  preceded  by  Colonel  Humphreys  and  Majr  Jackson 
in  uniform,  (on  my  two  white  horses)  and  followed  by  Messrs.  Lear  and 
Nelson,  in  my  chariot,  and  Mr  Lewis,  on  horseback,  following  them.  In 
their  rear  was  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States  and  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  and  War  Departments,  in  their  respective  carriages,  and  in  the 
order  they  are  named.  At  the  outer  door  of  the  hall  I  was  met  by  the  door 
keepers  of  the  Senate  and  House,  and  conducted  to  the  door  of  the  Senate 
Chamber ;  and  passing  from  thence  to  the  Chair  through  the  Senate  on  the 
right,  and  House  of  Representatives  on  the  left,  I  took  my  seat.  The  gen 
tlemen  who  attended  me  followed  and  took  their  stand  behind  the  Senators; 
the  whole  rising  as  I  entered.  After  being  seated,  at  which  time  the  mem 
bers  of  both  Houses  also  sat,  I  rose,  (as  they  also  did)  and  made  my  speech  ; 
delivering  one  copy  to  the  President  of  the  Senate,  and  another  to  the 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives — after  which,  and  being  a  few 
moments  seated,  I  retired,  bowing  on  each  side  to  the  assembly  (who  stood) 
as  I  passed,  and  descending  to  the  lower  hall,  attended  as  before,  I  returned 
with  them  to  my  house.  In  the  evening  a  great  number  of  ladies,  and 
many  gentlemen  visited  M™  Washington.  On  this  occasion  I  was  dressed 
in  a  suit  of  clothes  made  at  the  Woolen  Manufactory  at  Hartford,  as  the 
buttons  also  were." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  JANUARY  9. 

At  New  York :  "  January  9. — Exercised  with  M™  Wash 
ington  and  the  children  in  the  coach  the  14  miles  round.* 

*  The  route  was  by  the  old  Kings-Bridge  road,  which  passed  over  Murray 
Hill,  where  Lexington  Avenue  now  does,  to  McGowan's  Pa??  at  about  One 


168  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  [1790 

In  the  afternoon  walked  round  the  Battery." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

"  January  10. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon — wrote  private 
letters  in  the  afternoon  for  the  Southern  mail.  January  11. — Communicated 
to  both  Houses,  transcripts  of  the  adoption  and  ratification  of  the  New  Con 
stitution  by  the  State  of  North  Carolina.*  January  12. — About  two  o'clock 
a  Committee  of  the  Senate  f  waited  on  me  with  a  copy  of  their  address,  in 
answer  to  my  speech,  and  requesting  to  know  at  what  time  and  place  it 
should  be  presented.  I  named  my  own  house,  and  Thursday  next,  at  11 
o'clock,  for  the  purpose.  Just  before  Levee  hour,  a  Committee  from  the 
House  of  Kepresentatives  J  called  upon  me  to  know  when  and  where  they 
should  deliver  their  address.  I  named  12  o'clock  on  Thursday.  ...  A 
respectable,  though  not  a  full  Levee  to-day."  —  Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  JANUARY  14. 

At  New  York :  "  January  14. — At  the  hours  appointed, 
the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  presented  their 
respective  addresses — the  members  of  both  coming  in  car 
riages,  and  the  latter  with  the  Mace  preceding  the  Speaker. 
The  address  of  the  Senate  was  presented  by  the  Vice-Presi- 
dent — and  that  of  the  House  by  the  Speaker  thereof. 

"  The  following  gentlemen  dined  here  to-day,  viz  :  Messrs. 
[John]  Henry  and  [William]  Maclay,  of  the  Senate — and 
Messrs.  [Jeremiah]  Wadsworth,  [Jonathan]  Trumbull, 
[William]  Floyd,  [Elias]  Boudinot,  [Henry]  Wynkoop, 
[Joshua]  Seney,  [John]  Page,  [Richard  Bland]  Lee,  and 
[George]  Mathews,  of  the  House  of  Representatives ;  and 
Mr  John  Trumbull." — Washington's  Diary. 

"January  14. — Dined  this  day  with  the  President.  It  was  a  great  dinner 
— all  in  the  taste  of  high  life.  I  considered  it  as  a  part  of  my  duty  as  a 
Senator  to  submit  to  it,  and  am  glad  it  is  over.  The  President  is  a  cold, 
formal  man  ;  but  I  must  declare  that  he  treated  me  with  great  attention. 
I  was  the  first  person  with  whom  he  drank  a  glass  of  wine.  I  was  often 

Hundred  and  Eighth  Street ;  then  across  on  a  line  with  the  Harlem  River  to 
Bloomingdale,  and  so  down  on  the  westerly  side  of  the  island. 

*  November  21,  1789. 

f  Messrs.  King,  Izard,  and  Paterson. 

J  Messrs.  Smith,  of  South  Carolina,  Clymer,  and  Lawrence. 


1700]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  169 

spoken  to  by  him.     Yet  he  knows  how  rigid  a  republican  I  am." — Journal 
of  William  Maclay. 

FRIDAY,  JANUARY  15. 

At  New  York :  "  January  15. — Snowing  all  day — but  few 
ladies  and  gentlemen  as  visitors  this  evening  to  Mrs  Wash 
ington." —  Washington 's  Diary. 

"January  16. — Exercised  in  the  coach  with  Mrs  Washington  and  the  two 
children,  about  12  o'clock.  January  17. — At  home  all  day — not  well.  Jan 
uary  18. — Still  indisposed  with  an  aching  tooth,  and  swelled  and  inflamed 
gum.  January  19. — Not  much  company  at  the  Levee  to-day — but  the  visi 
tors  were  respectable.  January  20. — A  Report  from  the  Secretary  at  War, 
on  the  subject  of  a  National  Militia,  altered  agreeably  to  the  ideas  I  had 
communicated  to  him,  was  presented  to  me,  in  order  to  be  laid  before  Con 
gress." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  21. 

At  New  York  :  "  January  21. — The  following  gentlemen 
dined  here,  viz  :  Messrs.  [Oliver]  Ellsworth,  [William]  Pat- 
erson,  [Jonathan]  Elmer,  [Richard]  Bassett,  and  [Benja 
min]  Hawkins,  of  the  Senate — and  Messrs.  [Roger]  Sher 
man,  [Lambert]  Cadwalader,  [George]  Clymer,  [Thomas] 
Hartley,  [Daniel]  Heister,  [William]  Smith,  (Maryland) 
and  [James]  Jackson,  of  the  House  of  Representatives — 
and  Major  [Samuel]  Meredith,  Treasurer  of  the  United 
States."-  -  Washington's  Diary. 

"  January  22. — Exercised  on  horseback  in  the  forenoon.  Called  in  my 
ride  on  the  Baron  de  Polnitz,  to  see  the  operation  of  his  (Winlaw's)  thresh 
ing  machine.*  .  .  .  Many  and  respectable  visitors  to  Mra  Washington  this 
evening.  January  23. — Went  with  M"  Washington  in  the  forenoon  to  see 
the  Paintings  of  Mr  Jn°  Trumbull.  January  24. — Went  to  St.  Paul's 
Chapel  in  the  forenoon.  Writing  private  letters  in  the  afternoon.  January 

*  The  Baron  de  Poellnitz  had  a  small  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Murray  Hill, 
where  he  tried  experiments  in  agriculture.  He  wrote  a  pamphlet  on  the 
subject,  and  also  suggested  to  Washington  the  propriety  of  establishing  a 
farm  under  the  patronage  of  the  government.  The  baron  was  the  inventor 
of  various  agricultural  machines  and  implements,  particularly  a  threshing 
machine  and  the  horse-hoe. 


170  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

25. — A  Mr  Francis  Bailey  [printer  of  Philadelphia],  introduced  by  Messrs. 
Scott  and  Hartley,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Mr  White,  of  Virginia,  offered  a 
paper,  in  the  nature  of  a  Petition,  setting  forth  a  valuable  discovery  he  had 
made  of  marginal  figures  for  notes,  certificates  &c.  which  could  not  by  the 
ingenuity  of  man  be  counterfeited.  January  26. — Exercised  on  horseback  in 
the  forenoon.  The  visitors  at  the  Levee  to-day  were  numerous  and  respect 
able — among  whom  was  the  Vice-President  and  the  Speaker  of  the  House 
of  Kepresentatives.  January  27. — Did  business  with  the  Secretaries  of  the 
Treasury  and  War." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  28. 

At  New  York :  "  January  28. — The  following  gentlemen 
dined  here,  viz :  the  Vice-President,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury — Messrs.  [Philip]  Schuyler,  [Robert]  Morris, 
[Ralph]  Izard,  [Tristram]  Dalton  and  [Pierce]  Butler,  of 
the  Senate ;  and  Messrs.  [William]  Smith,  (South  Carolina,) 
[Michael]  Stone,  [James]  Schureman,  [Thomas]  Fitzsim- 
mons,  [Theodore]  Sedgwick,  [Daniel]  Huger,  and  [James] 
Madison  of  the  House  of  Representatives." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  January  29. — Exercised  on  horseback  this  forenoon;  during  my  ride, 
Mr  [Samuel]  Johnston,  one  of  the  Senators  from  North  Carolina,  who  had 
just  arrived,  came  to  pay  his  respects,  as  did  Mr  Cushing,  one  of  the  Associate 
Judges — the  latter  came  again  about  3  o'clock,  introduced  by  the  Vice- 
President.  .  .  .  The  visitors  to  Mrs  Washington  this  evening  were  numerous 
and  respectable.  January  30. — Exercised  with  M"  Washington  and  the 
children  in  the  coach  in  the  forenoon.  Walked  round  the  Battery  in  the 
afternoon.  January  31. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon.  Mr 
Wilson  one  of  the  Associate  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  paid  his  respects 
to  me  after  I  returned  from  church.  Spent  the  afternoon  in  writing  letters 
to  Mount  Vernon." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  1. 

At  New  York:  "  February  1. — Agreed  on  Saturday  last 
to  take  Mr  McComb's  house,*  lately  occupied  by  the  Minis- 


*  The  Macomb  house  was  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Broadway,  a  little 
below  Trinity  Church;  it  was  subsequently  occupied  as  a  hotel,  and  was 
called  The  Mansion  House.  The  President  moved  to  this  house  on  the  23d 
of  February. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  171 

ter  of  France,  for  one  year  from  and  after  the  first  day  of 
May  next." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  February  2. — Exercised  in  the  carriage  with  M™  Washington.  On  my 
return  found  Mr  Blair,  one  of  the  Associate  Judges,  the  Attorney-General 
of  the  United  States  [Edmund  Kandolph],  and  Col°  Bland  here.  The 
Levee  to-day  was  much  crowded,  and  very  respectable  ;  among  other  com 
pany,  the  District  Judge  and  Attorney,  with  the  Marshall  and  all  the  Grand 
Jurors  of  the  Federal  District  Court,  (and  a  respectable  body  they  were) 
attended.  February  3. — Visited  the  apartments  in  the  house  of  Mr  McComb's 
— made  a  disposition  of  the  rooms — fixed  on  some  furniture  of  the  Minister's 
(which  was  to  be  sold,  and  was  well  adapted  to  particular  public  rooms)  — 
and  directed  additional  stables  to  be  built." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  4. 

At  New  York :  "  February  4. — The  following  company 
dined  here,  viz  :  The  Vice-President,  the  Chief  Justice  of 
the  United  States  [John  Jay],  Judges  [William]  Gushing, 
[James]  Wilson,  and  [John]  Blair,  of  the  Supreme  Court; 
the  Attorney-General  of  the  United  States  (Randolph);  the 
Marshall,  Attorney,  and  Clerk  of  the  District,  viz  :  Smith, 
Harrison,  and  Troup ;  Mr  [Samuel]  Johnston  and  Mr  [Ben 
jamin]  Hawkins,  of  the  Senate,  and  the  Secretaries  of  the 
Treasury  and  War  Departments,  to  wit: — Hamilton  and 
Knox." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  February  5. — Received  from  Doctr  [Hugh]  Williamson,  of  North  Caro 
lina,  a  list  of  names  whom  he  thought  would  be  proper  to  fill  the  Revenue 
offices  in  that  State.  Submitted  the  same  to  the  Senators  of  that  State  for 
their  inspection  and  alteration.  February  6. — Walked  to  my  newly  engaged 
lodgings  to  fix  on  a  spot  for  a  new  stable  which  I  was  about  to  build. 
Agreed  with  -  -  to  erect  one  30  feet  square,  16  feet  pitch,  to  contain  12 
single  stalls ;  a  hay  loft,  racks,  mangers,  &c ;  planked  floor,  and  under 
pinned  with  stone,  with  windows  between  each  stall,  for  £65.  February  7. 
— Went  to  St.  Paul's  in  the  forenoon.  February  8. — Nominated  officers  for 
the  Revenue  department  in  North  Carolina.  Mr  [James]  Iredell  as  an 
Associate  Judge  ;  .  .  .  likewise  Major  Samuel  Shaw,  as  Consul  for  Canton, 
in  China.  February  9. — A  good  deal  of  company  at  the  Levee  to-day. 
Exercised  on  horseback  in  the  forenoon.  February  10. — Sat  from  9  until  11 
o'clock  for  Mr  Trumbull  to  draw  my  picture  in  his  historical  pieces  [the 
battles  of  Trenton  and  Princeton]." — Washington's  Diary. 


172  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

THURSDAY,  FEBKUAKY  11. 

At  New  York  :  "  February  11. — Exercised  on  horseback 
in  the  forenoon.  The  following  gentlemen  dined  here, 
viz :  Messrs.  [George]  Leonard  and  Groal  [?  Grout],  of 
Massachusetts;  [Benjamin]  Iluntington  and  [Jonathan] 
Sturges,  of  Connecticut ;  [Peter]  Silvester,  of  New  York ; 
[Thomas]  Sinnickson,  of  New  Jersey ;  [George]  Gale,  of 
Maryland;  and  [Theodoric]  Bland,  [Josiah]  Parker  and 
[Andrew]  Moore,  of  Virginia." — Washington's  Diary. 

"February  12. — Sat  from  9  o'clock  until  11,  for  Mr  John  Trumbull,  for 
the  purpose  of  drawing  my  picture.  A  good  deal  of  company  (gentlemen 
and  ladies)  to  visit  Mrs  Washington  this  afternoon.  February  13. — Walked 
in  the  forenoon  to  the  house  to  which  I  am  ahout  to  remove.  Gave  direc 
tions  for  the  arrangement  of  the  furniture,  &c.  and  had  some  of  it  put  up. 
February  14. — At  home  all  day — writing  private  letters  to  Virginia.  Feb 
ruary  15. — Sat  between  9  and  11,  for  Mr  John  Trumbull.  February  16. 
— Intended  to  have  used  exercise  on  horseback,  but  the  weather  pre 
vented  my  doing  it.  Rid  to  my  intended  habitation,  and  gave  some  direc 
tions  respecting  the  arrangement  of  the  furniture.  The  Levee  to-day  was 
thin.  Received  some  papers  from  the  Secretary  at  War  respecting  a  corre 
spondence  to  be  opened  between  Col°  Hawkins,  of  the  Senate,  and  Mr  Mc- 
Gillivray,*  of  the  Creek  Nation,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  the  latter,  with 
some  other  chiefs  of  that  nation  to  this  place,  as  an  expedient  to  avert  a  war 
with  them." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  18. 

At  New  York:  "February  18.— Sat  for  Mr  Trumbull 
from  9  o'clock  till  10 ;  after  which  exercised  in  the  post- 
chaise  with  Mrs  Washington.  On  our  return  home  called 
on  M™  Adams,  lady  of  the  Vice-President.  The  following 
company  dined  here  to-day,  viz : — Judge  Gushing  and  his 
lady;  the  Postmaster  General  [Samuel  Osgood]  and  his 

*  Alexander  McGillivray  was  the  son  of  a  Scottish  trader  of  that  name, 
who  married  the  daughter  of  the  principal  chief  of  the  Creek  nation,  whose 
domain  originally  included  the  whole  of  Florida  and  a  greater  portion  of 
Alabama  and  Georgia.  He  received  a  liberal  education  at  Charleston,  and 
was  also  placed  for  a  time  in  a  business  house  at  Savannah.  McGillivray 
was  finally  chosen  by  the  Creeks  for  their  principal  sachem  or  king. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  173 

lady,  and  Messrs.  [Elias]  Boudinot,  [Samuel]  Griffin,  [Isaac] 
Coles,  [Elbridge]  Gerry,  and  [Alexander]  White,  and  their 
ladies." — Washington's  Diary. 


"  February  19. — Exercised  on  horseback  about  9  o'clock.  Walked  after 
wards  to  my  new  house.  Received  a  Cap4  Drew,  Comr  of  a  British  sloop  of 
war,  sent  express  to  Sir  John  Temple,  Consul-General  of  that  nation  in  the 
United  States.  The  visitors  this  evening  to  M"  Washington  were  numerous 
and  respectable.  February  20. — Sat  from  9  until  11,  for  Mr  Trumbull. 
Walked  afterwards  to  my  new  house — then  rode  a  few  miles  with  Mr§ 
Washington  and  the  children  before  dinner ;  after  which  I  again  visited  my 
new  house  in  my  coach  (because  it  rained).  February  21. — Went  to  St. 
Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon — wrote  letters  respecting  my  domestic  con 
cerns  afterwards.  February  22. — Set  seriously  about  removing  my  furniture 
to  my  new  house.  Two  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  family  had  their  beds  taken 
there,  and  would  sleep  there  to-night." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  23. 

At  New  York :  "  February  23. — Few  or  no  visitors  at  the 
Levee  to-day,  from  the  idea  of  my  being  on  the  move. 
After  dinner,  Mra  Washington,  myself,  and  children  re 
moved,  and  lodged  at  our  new  habitation." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  February  24. — Employed  in  arranging  matters  about  the  house  and  fix 
ing  matters.  February  25. — Engaged  as  yesterday.  In  the  afternoon  a 
Committee  of  Congress  presented  an  Act  for  enumerating  the  inhabitants  of 
the  United  States.  February  26. — A  numerous  company  of  gentlemen  and 
ladies  were  here  this  afternoon.  Exercised  on  horseback  this  forenoon. 
February  27. — Sat  for  Mr  Trumbull  this  forenoon;  after  which  exercised  in 
the  coach  with  Mrs  Washington  and  the  children.  February  28. — Went  to 
St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon.  Wrote  letters  on  private  business  after 
wards."—  Washington' 's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  MARCH  1. 

At  New  York  :  "  March  1. — Exercised  on  horseback  this 
forenoon,  attended  by  Mr  John  Trumbull,  who  wanted  to 
see  me  mounted. 

"  Informed  the  House  of  Representatives  (where  the  Bill 


174  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

originated)  that  I  had  given  my  assent  to  the  act  for  taking 
a  Census  of  the  People,"  * —  Washington's  Diary. 

1 '  March  2. — Much  and  respectable  company  was  at  the  Levee  to-day. 
March  8. — Exercised  on  horseback  between  9  and  11  o'clock." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  MAKCH  4. 

At  New  York :  "  March  4. — Sat  from  9  until  half  after 
10  o'clock  for  Mr  Trumbull.  The  following  gentlemen 
dined  here  to-day,  viz  : — the  Vice-President,  Messrs.  [John] 
Langdon,  [Paine]  "Wingate,  [Tristram]  Dalton,  [Caleb] 
Strong,  [Oliver]  Ellsworth,  [Philip]  Schuyler,  [Rufus] 
King,  [William]  Paterson,  [Robert]  Morris,  [William] 
McClay,  [Richard]  Bassett,  [John]  Henry,  [Samuel]  John 
ston,  [Benjamin]  Hawkins,  [Ralph]  Izard,  [Pierce]  Butler, 
and  [William]  Few,  all  of  the  Senate." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  March  4. — Dined  with  the  President  of  the  United  States.  It  was  a 
dinner  of  dignity.  All  the  Senators  were  present  and  the  Vice-President. 
I  looked  often  around  the  company  to  find  the  happiest  faces.  Wisdom, 
forgive  me  if  I  wrong  thee,  but  I  thought  folly  and  happiness  most  nearly 
allied.  The  President  seemed  to  bear  in  his  countenance  a  settled  aspect  of 
melancholy.  No  cheering  ray  of  convivial  sunshine  broke  through  the 
cloudy  gloom  of  settled  seriousness.  At  every  interval  of  eating  or  drinking 
he  played  on  the  table  with  a  fork  or  knife,  like  a  drumstick." — Journal  of 
William  Maclay. 

FKIDAY,  MAKCH  5. 

At  New  York :  "  March  5. — A  very  numerous  company 
of  ladies  and  gentlemen  here  this  evening." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  March  6. — Exercised  in  the  coach  with  Mrs  Washington  and  the  chil 
dren,  and  in  the  afternoon  walked  round  the  Battery.  March  7. — At  home 
all  day — writing  letters  on  private  business.  March  9  — A  good  many  gen- 

*  The  census  directed  to  be  made  by  the  Act  of  Congress  of  March  1,  1790, 
made  the  population  of  the  United  States  to  consist  of  3,929,326  persons; 
this  included  697,697  slaves. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  175 

tlemen  attended  the  Levee  to-day — among  whom  were  many  members  of 
Congress.  March  10. — Exercised  on  horsehack  between  9  and  11  o'clock. 
On  my  return  had  a  long  conversation  with  Col°  Willet,  who  was  engaged 
to  go  as  a  private  agent,  but  for  public  purposes  to  Mr  McGillivray,  princi 
pal  chief  of  the  Creek  Nation." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  MARCH  11. 

At  NQW  York :  "  March  11. — The  following  gentlemen 
dined  here  to-day,  viz : — Mr  [George]  Read,  of  the  Senate, 
the  Speaker,  and  the  following  gentlemen  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  viz  : — Messrs.  [Nicholas]  Gilman,  [Benja 
min]  Goodhue,  [Fisher]  Aimes,  [Jeremiah]  Wadsworth, 
[Jonathan]  Trumbull,  [Egbert]  Benson,  [John]  Lawrence, 
Peter  Muhlenberg,  [Henry]  Wynkoop,  [John]  Vining, 
[Daniel]  Carroll,  [Benjamin]  Contee,  [James]  Madison, 
[John]  Page,  and  [Thomas]  Sumpter — also  Judge  [Gun 
ning]  Bedford  and  Mr  John  Trumbull." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

"  March  12. — Exercised  in  the  Post  chaise  with  M"  Washington  from  10 
o'clock  till  near  12.  Signed  the  Passport  which  was  to  be  committed  to 
Col"  Willet  for  Mr  Gillivray  and  other  Chiefs  of  the  Creek  Nation  of  Indians, 
and  other  papers  necessary  for  his  setting  out  on  this  business.*  A  Pretty 
numerous  company  of  visitors  this  evening  to  M"  Washington's  Levee. 
March  13. — Exercised  about  11  o'clock  with  Mrs  Washington  &  the  Chil 
dren,  in  the  coach.  March  14. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon 
— wrote  letters  on  private  business  afterwards.  March  15. — Received  an 
Address  from  the  Roman  Catholics  of  the  United  States,  presented  by  Mr 
[Charles]  Carroll  of  the  Senate,  Mr  [Daniel]  Carroll  &  Mr  [Thomas]  Fitz- 
simmons  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  many  others,  Inhabitants  of 
the  City  of  New  York.  .  .  .  And  Mr  Few,  Senator  from  the  State  of 
Georgia,  presented  me  with  the  copy  of  an  Address  from  that  State  requiring 
to  know,  when  it  would  be  convenient  for  me  to  receive  it  in  form.  March 
16. — Exercised  on  horseback  between  10  &  12  o'clock :  previous  to  this,  I 
was  visited  (having  given  permisn.)  by  a  Mr.  Warner  Miflin,  one  of  the 
People  called  Quakers ;  active  in  pursuit  of  the  Measures  laid  before  Con- 

*  Colonel  Marinus  Willett  acquitted  himself  so  well  of  the  duty  assigned 
him  that  the  chiefs  of  the  Creek  nation,  with  McGillivray  at  their  head,  were 
induced  to  repair  to  New  York.  Negotiations  were  immediately  entered 
upon,  which  terminated  in  a  treaty  of  peace,  signed  on  the  7th  of  August 
and  formally  ratified  on  the  13th. 


176  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

gress  for  emancipating  the  Slaves.*  .  .  .  The  day  being  bad,  not  many 
visitors  attended  the  Levee.  At  it  Mr.  Smith  of  South  Carolina,  presented 
the  copy  of  an  Address  from  the  Intendant  and of  the  City  of  Charles 
ton,  and  was  told  that  I  would  receive  it  in  form  on  Thursday  at  11  o'clock. 
March  17. — Gave  Mr.  Few  notice  that  I  would  receive  the  address  of  the 
Legislature  of  Georgia  to  morrow  at  half  after  ten  o'clock." — Washington's 
Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  MAKCH  18. 

At  New  York :  "  March  18. — At  half  past  10  I  received 
the  address  of  the  Legislature  of  Georgia — presented  by 
Mr  Few  the  Senator  &  the  3  Representatives  of  the  State  in 
Congress  [Abraham  Baldwin,  James  Jackson,  and  George 
Matthews].  At  11  o'clock  the  address  from  the  Intendant 
and  Wardens  of  the  City  of  Charleston  was  presented  by 
Mr  Smith. 

"  The  following  Gentlemen  dined  here,  viz : — Messrs. 
[Samuel]  Livermore,  [Abiel]  Foster,  [George]  Partridge, 
[George]  Thatcher,  [Roger]  Sherman,  [Thomas]  Fitzsim- 
mons,  [Thomas]  Hartley,  [Joshua]  Seney,  [Richard  II.] 
See,  [Edanus]  Burke,  [Thomas  T.]  Tucker,  [Abraham] 
Baldwin,  [James]  Jackson  &  [George]  Mathews  of  the 
Representatives  in  Congress — and  Mr  Otis,  Secretary  of  the 
Senate,  and  Mr  Beckley,  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Representa 
tives. 

"  In  the  Evening  (about  8  o'clock)  I  went  with  M"  Wash 
ington  to  the  assembly  where  there  were  betwn.  60  &  70 
Ladies  &  many  Gentlemen." — Washington's  Diary. 

'•'•March  19. — Exercised  on  Horseback  betwn.  9  and  11  o'clock.  March 
20. — Exercised  in  the  Coach  with  Mrs  Washington  and  the  Children. 


*  On  February  12  a  petition  from  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Quakers  for 
Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  and  the  western  parts  of  Maryland 
and  Virginia,  seconded  by  another  from  New  York,  was  presented  to  Con 
gress,  praying  for  the  abolition  of  the  slave-trade.  Another  was  presented 
the  next  day  from  the  Pennsylvania  Society  for  promoting  the  Abolition 
of  Slavery,  signed  by  Dr.  Franklin  as  president,  on  the  same  subject.  These 
petitions  and  proceedings  thereon  produced  much  agitation  in  Congress  and 
throughout  the  country  during  the  spring  of  1790. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  177 

March  21. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chappel  in  the  forenoon — wrote  private 
letters  in  the  afternoon.  Received  Mr  Jefferson,  Minister  of  State  about  one 

o'clock.*     March  22 Sat  for  Mr  Trumbull  for  my  Picture  in  his  Historical 

pieces — after  which  conversed  for  more  than  an  hour  with  Mr  Jefferson  on 
business  relative  to  the  duties  of  his  office.  March  23. — A  full  &  very 
respectable  Levee  to  day.  March  24. — Prevented  from  Riding  by  the 
unfavourableness  of  the  weather." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  MARCH  25. 

At  New  York :  "  March  25. — Went  in  the  forenoon  to 
the  Consecration  of  Trinity  Church,  when  a  Pew  was  con 
structed,  and  set  apart  for  the  President  of  the  United  Sts.f 

"  The  following  Company  dined  here  to  day,  viz : — The 
Chief  Justice  Jay  &  his  Lady,  Genl.  Schuyler  &  his  Lady, 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  his  Lady,  the  Secretary 
of  War  &  his  Lady  &  M™  Greene,  the  Secretary  of  State 
(Mr  Jefferson)  Mr  [Charles]  Carroll  &  Mr  [John]  Henry  of 
Senate,  Judge  [James]  Wilson,  Messrs.  [James]  Madison 
&  [John]  Page  of  the  Ho.  of  Representatives,  and  Col° 
[William  Stephens]  Smith  Marshall  of  the  District." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  March  26. — The  company  this  evening  was  thin,  especially  of  Ladies. 
March  27. — Exercised  in  the  coach  with  Mra  Washington  and  the  children. 
March  28. — Went  to  St.  Paul's  Chapel  in  the  forenoon.  March  29. — Exer 
cised  on  Horseback  in  the  forenoon — and  called  at  Col°  [Anthony]  Walton 
White's.  March  30. — Exercised  in  the  Post  Chaise  with  Mra  Washington. 
The  Company  at  the  Levee  to  day  was  numerous  &  respectable.  March 
31. — Exercised  on  Horseback." — Washington's  Diary. 

*  Thomas  Jefferson  had  been  called  to  Washington's  cabinet  as  Secretary 
of  State  on  his  return  from  France,  where  he  had  resided  as  minister  for 
some  time.  After  a  tedious  journey  of  a  fortnight  from  Monticello,  Mr. 
Jefferson  reached  New  York  on  the  21st  of  March. 

f  The  original  building  of  Trinity  Church,  the  first  Episcopal  church 
organized  in  the  province  of  New  York,  was  erected  in  1696  and  enlarged 
in  1737.  It  was  destroyed  in  the  great  fire  of  September  21,  1776,  and  the 
building  consecrated  this  day  was  erected  in  1788  on  the  same  site,  Broad 
way,  opposite  Wall  Street.  During  the  exercises,  Washington  and  his 
family  were  seated  in  the  richly  ornamented  pew,  with  a  canopy  over  it, 
set  apart  by  the  wardens  and  vestrymen  for  the  President  of  the  United 
States. 

12 


178  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

THURSDAY,  APRIL  1. 

At  New  York :  "  April  1. — The  following  Company  dined 
here  to  day,  viz : — Governor  Clinton,  [Pierre  Van  Cort- 
landt]  the  Speaker  of  the  Senate  &  [Gillian  Verplanck  of 
the]  House  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New  York, 
Judge  Duane,  Baron  de  Steuben  and  Mr  Arthur  Lee.  Mr 
[Rufus]  King  of  the  Senate,  and  the  following  members  of 
the  House  of  Representatives — Mr  [George]  Leonard,  Mr 
[Theodore]  Sedgwick,  Mr  [Jonathan]  Grout,  Mr  [Jeremiah] 
Van  Rensalaer,  Mr  [John]  Hathorne,  Mr  [George]  Clymer, 
Mr  [Daniel]  Heister,  Mr  [Michael]  Stone,  Mr  [Hugh]  Wil 
liamson,  Mr  [John  B.]  Ash,  and  Mr  [Daniel]  Huger." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  April  2. — But  a  thin  company  this  Evening,  on  acct.  of  the  badness  of 
the  weather,  &  its  being  good  friday.  April  3. — Exercised  in  the  Coach 
with  Mri  Washington  and  the  Children.  April  4. — At  home  all  day — un 
well.  April  5. — Exercised  with  Mrs  Washington  in  the  Post  Chaise.  April 
6. — Sat  for  Mr  Savage,  at  the  request  of  the  Vice  President,  to  have  my 
Portrait  drawn  for  him.*  The  Company  at  the  Levee  to  day  was  thin, — 
the  day  was  bad.  April  7. — Exercised  with  Mre  Washington  in  the  Post- 
Chaise." — Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  APEIL  8. 

At  New  York :  "  April  8. — The  following  Company  dined 
here,  viz  : — of  the  House  of  Representatives — Mr  [Elbridge] 
Gerry,  Mr  [Benjamin]  Huntington,  Mp  [Lambert]  Cadwal- 
ader,  Mr  [Elias]  Boudinot,  Mr  [Thomas]  Sinnickson,  Mr 
[Thomas]  Scott,  Mr  [George]  Gale,  Mr  [Josiah]  Parker,  Mr 
[Andrew]  Moore,  &  Mr  [John]  Browne,  of  the  Treasury 
Department,  the  Comptroller  (Mr  [Nicholas]  Eveleigh),  the 
Auditor  (Mr  [Oliver]  Wolcot)  &  the  Register  Mr  [Joseph] 
Nourse — and  of  the  Commissioners  of  Accts.  Genl.  [Wil 
liam]  Irvine,  and  Mr  [John]  Kean — together  with  Mr 
[Christopher]  Gore,  attorney  for  the  District  of  Massachu 
setts." —  Washington's  Diary. 

*  This  portrait  is  now  owned  by  Henry  Adams,  a  great-grandson  of  John 
Adams. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  179 

"  AprilQ. — Exercised  on  Horseback  in  the  forenoon.  The  company  who 
visited  M™  Washington  this  afternoon  was  very  numerous  both  of  Gentle 
men  &  Ladies.  April  10  — Exercised  in  the  Coach  with  M"  Washington 
and  the  Children — walked  in  the  afternoon  around  the  Battery  and  through 
some  of  the  principal  Streets  of  the  City.  In  the  afternoon  the  Secretary 
of  State  submitted  for  my  approbation  Letters  of  credence  for  Mr  [William] 
Short  as  Charge  de  Affaires,  at  the  Court  of  Versailles.  April  11. — Went  to 
Trinity  Church  in  the  forenoon — and  [wrote]  several  private  letters  in  the 
afternoon.  April  12. — Exercised  on  Horseback  after  which  did  business  with 
the  Secretaries  of  the  Treasury  and  War  Departments.  April  13. — Exercised 
on  Horseback  about  10  o'clock.  A  good  deal  of  Company  at  the  Levee  to 
day.  April  14.— Exercised  in  the  Post  Chaise  with  M"  Washington." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  APKIL  15. 

At  New  York :  "  April  15. — The  Vice  President  &  Lady, 
the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States  &  Lady,  Mr  [Ralph] 
Izard  &  Lady,  Mr  [Tristram]  Dalton  &  Lady,  Bishop  [Sam 
uel]  Provost  &  Lady,  Judge  [Cyrus]  Griffin  &  Lady  Chris 
tina,  Col°  [Samuel]  GriffirT&  Lady,  Col°  [William  S.]  Smith 
&  Lady,  the  Secretary  of  State,  Mr  [John]  Langdon,  Mr 
[Rufus]  King  &  Major  [Pierce]  Butler.  Mrs  King  was 
invited  but  was  indisposed." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  April  16. — Had  a  long  conference  with  the  Secretary  of  State  on  the 
subject  of  Diplomatic  appointments  &  on  the  proper  places  &  characters  for 
Consuls  or  Vice  Consuls.  After  which  I  exercised  on  Horseback.  The 
Visitors  of  Gentlemen  and  Ladies  to  Mr>  Washington  this  evening  were  very 
numerous.  April  17. — Exercised  in  the  coach  with  M"  Washington  and 
the  children.  April  18. — At  home  all  day — the  weather  being  very  stormy 
&  bad,  wrote  private  letters.  April  19. — Prevented  from  beginning  my  tour 
upon  Long  Island  to  day  from  the  wet  of  yesterday  and  the  unfavourable- 
ness  of  the  morning." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  APKIL  20. 

At  Long  Island :  "  April  20. — About  8  o'clock  (having 
previously  sent  over  my  Servants,  Horses,  and  Carriage)  I 
crossed  to  Brooklyn  and  proceeded  to  Flat  Bush — thence 
to  Utrich  [New  Utrecht] — thence  to  Gravesend — thence 

through Jamaica  where  we  lodged  at  a  Tavern  kept 

by  one  Warne — a  pretty  good  and  decent  house, — at  the 


180  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1790 

house  of  a  Mr  Barre,  at  Utrich,  we  dined, — the  man  was 
obliging  but  little  else  to  recommend  it.  ...  From  Brook 
lyn  to  Flatbush  is  called  5  miles,  thence  to  Utrich  6 — to 
Gravesend  2 — and  from  thence  to  Jamaica  14 — in  all  this 
day  27  miles." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"April  21. — The  morning  being  clear  &  pleasant  we  left  Jamaica  about 
eight  o'clock,  &  pursued  the  Koad  to  South  Hempstead,  passing  along  the 
South  edge  of  the  plain  of  that  name.  .  .  .  We  baited  in  South  Hemp- 
stead,  (10  miles  from  Jamaica)  at  the  House  of  one  Simmonds,  formerly  a 
Tavern,  now  of  private  entertainment  for  money. — From  thence  turning 
off  to  the  right,  we  fell  into  the  South  Kd.  at  the  distance  of  about  five 
miles  where  we  came  in  view  of  the  Sea.  .  .  .  We  dined  at  one  Ketchum's. 
.  .  .  After  dinner  we  proceeded  to  a  Squire  Thompson's.  April  22. — About 
8  o'clock  we  left  Mr  Thompson's — halted  awhile  at  one  Greens  distant  11 
miles  and  dined  [at]  Harts  Tavern  in  Brookhaven  township,  five  miles 
farther.  .  .  .  From  Hart's  we  struck  across  the  Island  for  the  No.  side 
passing  the  East  end  of  the  Brushey  Plains — and  Koram  [Corum]  8  miles — 
thence  to  Setakit  7  miles  more  to  the  House  of  a  Capt.  Koe,  which  is  toler 
ably  dect.  with  obliging  people  in  it.  April  23. — About  8  o'clock  we  left 
Roe's,  and  baited  the  Horses  at  Smiths  Town  at  a  Widow  Blidenberg's  a 
decent  House  10  miles  from  Setalkat — thence  15  miles  to  Huntington  where 
we  dined — and  afterwards  proceeded  seven  miles  to  Oyster-Bay,  to  the  House 
of  a  Mr  Young  (private  and  very  neat  and  decent)  where  we  lodged.  The 
house  we  dined  at  in  Huntingdon  was  kept  by  a  Widow  Platt,  and  was 
tolerably  good.  April  24. — Left  Mr  Young's  before  6  o'clock  and  passing 
Musqueto  [now  Glen]  Cove,  breakfasted  at  a  Mr  Underdunck's  [Henry  On- 
derdonk]  at  the  head  of  a  little  bay  ;  where  we  were  kindly  received  and 
well  entertained. — This  Gentleman  works  a  Grist  &  two  Paper  Mills,  the 
last  of  which  he  seems  to  carry  on  with  spirit,  and  to  profit — distc.  from 
Oyster-bay  12  miles. — From  hence  to  Flushing  where  we  dined  is  12  more — 
&  from  thence  to  Brooklyne  through  Newton  (the  way  we  travelled  and 
which  is  a  mile  further  than  to  pass  through  Jamaica)  is  18  miles  more.  .  .  . 
Before  sundown  we  had  crossed  the  Ferry  and  was  at  home. " —  Washington's 
Diary. 

SUNDAY,  APRIL  25. 

At  New  York:  "April  25.— Went  to  Trinity  Church, 
and  wrote  letters  home  after  dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  April  26. — Appointed  a  quarter  before  three  to-morrow  to  receive  from 
the  Senators  of  the  State  of  Virgna.  an  address  from  the  Legislature  thereof. 
April  27. — At  the  time  appointed,  Messrs.  [Richard  Henry]  Lee  &  [John] 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  181 

Walker  (the  Senators  from  Virginia)  attended,  &  presented  the  Address  as 
mentioned  yesterday  &  and  received  an  answer  to  it.  A  good  deal  of  respect 
able  company  was  at  the  Levee  to  day." — Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  APKIL  29. 

At  New  York:  "April  29. — The  following  Gentlemen 
dined  here,  viz  : — of  the  Senate,  Messrs.  [Caleb]  Strong, 
Doctr.  [William  S.]  Johnson,  Mr  [William]  Paterson,  Mr 
[Robert]  Morris,  Mr  [Charles]  Carroll,  Mr  [Richard  Henry] 
Lee,  Mr  [John]  Walker,  Govr.  [Samuel]  Johnston  &  Mr 
[James]  Gunn — and  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  Mr 
[Jonathan]  Sturges,  Mr  [Egbert]  Benson,  Mr  [William] 
Floyd,  Mr  [James]  Schureman,  Mr  [John]  Vining,  Mr 
[William]  Smith,  Maryland,  Mr  [Theodoric]  Bland,  and 
Mr  [Thomas]  Sumpter." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  April  30. — The  Visitors  to  Mrs  Washington  this  evening  were  not  nu 
merous.  May  1. — Exercised  in  the  Coach  with  M™  Washington  &  the 
children  in  the  forenoon — &  on  foot  in  the  afternoon.  May  2. — Went  to 
Trinity  Church  in  the  forenoon — writing  letters  on  private  business  in  the 
afternoon.  May  3. — Exercised  on  Horseback  about  9  o'clock.  May  4. — 
Exercised  in  the  forenoon  on  Horseback.  A  respectable  Company  at  the 
Levee  to-day." — Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  MAY  6. 

At  New  York  :  "  May  6. — Exercised  on  horseback  in  the 
forenoon. — The  following,  out  of  several  others  who  were 
invited,  but  prevented  by  sickness,  dined  here,  viz : — Mr 
[Paine]  Wingate,  Mr  [William]  Maclay,  Mr  [John]  Walker 
(of  the  Senate)  and  Messrs.  [Nicholas]  Gilman,  [Fisher] 
Aimes,  Genl.  Muhlenberg,  [Henry]  Wynkoop,  [John]  Page 
and  Lady,  [William]  Smith  So.  Carolina  &  Lady,  and  Mr 
[Alexander]  White  &  his  Lady  of  the  House  of  Represent 
atives." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  6. — Went  to  dine  with  the  President  agreeably  to  invitation.  He 
seemed  in  more  good  humor  than  I  ever  saw  him,  though  he  was  so  deaf 
that  I  believe  he  heard  little  of  the  conversation.  We  had  ladies,  Mrs. 
Smith,  Mrs.  Page  and  Mrs  White.  Their  husbands  all  with  them." — 
Journal  of  William  Maclay. 


182  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

FRIDAY,  MAY  7. 

At  New  York :  "  May  7. — Exercised  in  the  forenoon. 
.  .  .  Much  Company — Gentlemen  &  Ladies — visited  M™ 
Washington  this  Evening." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"May  8. — Exercised  in  the  Coach  with  Mri  "Washington  &  the  Children 
in  the  forenoon.  May  9. — Indisposed  with  a  bad  cold,  and  at  home  all  day 
writing  letters  on  private  business." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  MAY  10. 

At  New  York :  "  May  10. — A  severe  illness  with  which 
I  was  siezed  the  10th  of  this  month  and  which  left  me  in 
a  convalescent  state  for  several  weeks  after  the  violence  of 
it  had  passed;  &  little  inclination  to  do  more  than  what 
duty  to  the  public  required  at  my  hands  occasioned  the 
suspension  of  this  Diary." — Washington's  Diary. 

Incessant  application  to  business  made  severe  inroads  upon  Washington's 
health,  and  on  the  10th  of  May  he  was  seized  with  a  "  severe  illness,"  as  he 
records  in  the  Diary,  which  reduced  him  to  the  verge  of  dissolution.  He 
was  confined  to  his  chamber  for  several  weeks.  His  chief  difficulty  was 
inflammation  of  the  lungs,  and  he  suffered  from  general  debility  until  the 
close  of  the  session  of  Congress  in  August. 

SATURDAY,  MAY  15. 

At  New  York  :  "  May  15. — Called  to  see  the  President. 
Every  eye  full  of  tears.  His  life  despaired  of.  Dr.  Mac 
Knight  told  me  he  would  trifle  neither  with  his  own  char 
acter  nor  the  public  expectation ;  his  danger  was  imminent, 
and  every  reason  to  expect  that  the  event  of  his  disorder 
would  be  unfortunate." — Journal  of  William  Maday. 

"  May  22. — The  President  has  been  exceedingly  unwell ;  had  the  fears  of 
those  acquainted  with  his  situation  been  verified,  the  consequences  would 
have  been  alarming." — Oliver  Wolcott  to  Oliver  Wolcott,  Sen. 

MONDAY,  MAY  24. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  May  26.— The  President  of 
the  United  States  is  so  far  recovered  that  he  rode  out  in  his 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  183 

carriage  on  Monday  last  [May  24]." — Pennsylvania  Packet, 
May  29. 

"  May  25. — By  late  accounts  from  New  York,  we  are  informed  that  the 
President  of  the  United  States  has  been  exceedingly  indisposed,  but  we 
rejoice  at  the  authentic  information  of  his  being  much  relieved." — New 
Brunswick  Gazette. 

TUESDAY,  JUNE  1. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  June  2. — We  have  the 
pleasure  to  felicitate  the  public,  that  the  President  of  the 
United  States  has  so  far  recovered  his  health,  that  he  yes 
terday  saw  company  at  his  house,  and  received  the  con 
gratulations  of  many  respectable  characters  on  the  occasion." 
— Pennsylvania  Packet,  June  7. 

THUKSDAY,  JUNE  3. 

At  New  York :  "  I  have  a  few  days  since  had  a  severe 
attack  of  the  peripneumony  kind ;  but  am  now  recovered, 
except  in  point  of  strength.  My  physicians  advise  me  to 
more  exercise  and  less  application  to  business." — Washing 
ton  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  7. 

Leaves  New  York :  "  New  York,  June  6. — To-morrow  I 
go  on  a  sailing  party  of  three  or  four  days  with  the  Presi 
dent.  .  .  .  The  President  is  perfectly  reestablished,  and 
looks  better  than  before  his  illness." — Thomas  Jefferson  to 
William  Short. 

"  New  York,  June  10.— Yesterday  afternoon  the  PKESIDENT  of  the 
UNITED  STATES  returned  from  Sandy  Hook  and  the  fishing  banks,  where 
he  had  been  for  the  benefit  of  the  sea  air,  and  to  amuse  himself  in  the  de 
lightful  recreation  of  fishing.  We  are  told  he  has  had  excellent  sport, 
having  himself  caught  a  great  number  of  sea-bass  and  black  fish — the 
weather  proved  remarkably  fine,  which,  together  with  the  salubrity  of  the 
air  and  wholesome  exercise,  rendered  this  little  voyage  extremely  agreeable, 
and  cannot  fail,  we  hope,  of  being  very  serviceable  to  a  speedy  and  complete 
restoration  of  his  health." — Pennsylvania  Packet,  June  12. 


184  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

THURSDAY,  JUNE  24. 

At  New  York  :  "  June  24. — Exercised  on  horseback 
betwn.  5  &  7  o'clock,  A.M.  Entertained  the  following 
Gentlemen  at  Dinner,  viz : — Messrs.  [Elbridge]  Gerry, 
[Benjamin]  Goodhue,  [Jonathan]  Grout,  [George]  Leonard, 
[Benjamin]  Huntington,  [Egbert]  Benson,  [Elias]  Boudinot, 
[Lambert]  Cadwalader,  [Thomas]  Sinnickson,  [Daniel] 
Heister,  [Thomas]  Scott,  [Benjamin]  Contee,  [Michael] 
Stone,  [John]  Browne,  and  Morse  [?]  of  the  House  of 
Representatives." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  June  25. — Constant  &  heavy  Rain  all  day,  prevented  Company  from 
visiting  M™  Washington  this  afternoon  &  all  kinds  of  Exercise.  June  26. — 
Exercised  in  the  Coach  with  Mri  Washington  &  the  Children  &  by  walking 
in  the  afternoon.  June  27. — Went  to  Trinity  Church  in  the  forenoon — and 
employed  myself  in  writing  business  [letters]  in  the  afternoon.  June  28. — 
Exercised  between  5  &  7  o'clock  in  the  morning  &  drank  Tea  with  M"  Clin 
ton  (the  Governors  Lady)  in  the  afternoon.  June  29. — Exercised  between  5 
&  7  o'clock  in  the  morning  on  horseback.  A  good  deal  of  Company, 
amongst  which  several  strangers  and  some  foreigners  at  the  Levee  to  day." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  JULY  1. 

At  New  York :  "  July  1. — Exercised  between  5  and  7 
o'clock  on  Horseback.  .  .  .  The  following  Gentn.  &  Ladies 
dined  here,  to  day,  viz  : — The  Secretary  of  State,  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury,  and  Secretary  at  War  &  their  Ladies— 
Mr  [Tristram]  Dalton  &  Mr  [Rufus]  King  &  their  Ladies, 
Mr  [Pierce]  Butler  &  his  two  daughters — Mr  [Benjamin] 
Hawkins,  Mr  [Joseph]  Stanton,  &  Mr  [Theodore]  Foster,  & 
Mr  [Ralph]  Izard.— The  Chief  Justice  &  his  Lady,  Genl. 
Schuyler  &  Mrs  Izard  were  also  invited  but  were  otherwise 
engaged." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  July  2. — Exercised  between  6  &  7  on  horseback.  .  .  .  Much  company 
of  both  Sexes  to  visit  M™  Washington  this  evening.  July  3. — Exercised  be 
tween  9  and  11  in  the  Coach  with  Mri  Washington  and  the  Children.  July 
4. — Went  to  Trinity  Church  in  the  forenoon.  This  day  [Sunday]  being  the 
Anniversary  of  The  declaration  of  Independency  the  celebration  of  it  was 
put  of  until  to  morrow." —  Washington's  Diary. 


1790]          WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  185 

MONDAY,  JULY  5. 

At  New  York :  "  July  5. — The  members  of  the  Senate, 
House  of  Representatives,  Public  Officers,  Foreign  Char 
acters  &c.  The  Members  of  the  Cincinnati,  Officers  of  the 
Militia,  &c.  came  with  the  compliments  of  the  day  to  me — 
about  one  o'clock  a  sensible  Oration  was  delivered  in  St. 
Paul's  Chapel  by  Mr  Brockholst  Livingston,  on  the  occasion 
of  the  day.  ...  In  the  afternoon  many  Gentlemen  &  ladies 
visited  Mrg  Washington.  I  was  informed  this  day  by  Gen 
eral  Irvine  (who  reed,  the  acct.  from  Pittsburgh)  that  the 
Traitor  Arnold  was  at  Detroit  &  had  viewed  the  Militia  in 
the  Neighbourhood  of  it  twice." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  July  5. — All  the  town  was  in  arms  ;  grenadiers,  light  infantry,  and  artil 
lery  passed  the  Hall,  and  the  firing  of  cannon  and  small-arms,  with  beating 
of  drums,  kept  all  in  uproar.  The  motion  [for  the  Senate  to  adjourn]  was 
carried,  and  now  all  of  us  repaired  to  the  President's.  We  got  some  wine, 
punch,  and  cakes.  From  hence  we  went  to  St.  Paul's,  and  heard  the  anni 
versary  of  independence  pronounced  by  a  Mr.  B.  Livingston.  The  church 
was  crowded.  I  could  not  hear  him  well.  Some  said  it  was  fine.  I  could 
not  contradict  them.  I  was  in  the  pew  next  to  General  Washington.  Part 
of  his  family  and  Senators  filled  the  seats  with  us." — Journal  of  William 
Maclay. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  6. 

At  New  York :  "  July  6. — Exercised  on  Horseback  betwn. 
5  &  7  o'clock  in  the  morning, — at  9  o'clock  I  sat  for  Mr 
Trurnbull  to  finish  my  pictures  in  some  of  his  historical 
pieces.  Announced  to  the  House  of  Representatives  (where 
the  Bills  originated)  my  Assent  to  the  Acts  which  were 
presented  to  me  on  Friday  last. — One  of  which  Authorizes 
the  President  to  purchase  the  whole,  or  such  part  of  that 
tract  of  Land  situate  in  the  State  of  New  York,  commonly 
called  West-point  as  shall  be  by  him  judged  requisite  for 
the  purpose  of  such  fortifications  &  Garrisons  as  may  be 
necessary  for  the  defence  of  the  same. 

"  The  visitors  were  few  to  day,  on  acct.  of  the  numbers 
that  paid  their  compliments  yesterday.  July  7. — Exercised 


186  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

between  5  &  7  this  morning  on  Horseback." — Washington's 
Diary. 

THURSDAY,  JULY  8. 

At  New  York :  "  July  8.— Sat  from  9  o'clock  till  after  10 
for  Mr  John  Trumbull  who  was  drawing  a  Portrait  of  me 
at  full  length  which  he  intended  to  present  to  MM  Washing 
ton.*  .  .  . 

"  The  following  Gentlemen  dined  here  to  day — viz — 
Messrs.  [Paine]  Wingate,  [Caleb]  Strong,  [William]  Ma- 
clay,  [Richard  Henry]  Lee,  &  [Samuel]  Johnston  (No. 
Carolina)  of  the  Senate — and  Messrs.  [Nicholas]  Gilman, 
[Fisher]  Aimes,  [Jonathan]  Sturges,  [James]  Schureman, 
[Thomas]  Fitzsimmons,  [Henry]  Wynkoop,  [John]  Yining, 
[William]  Smith,  [James]  Madison,  [John]  Sevier,  & 
[Thomas]  Sumpter,  of  the  House  of  Representatives." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  July  8. — Stayed  at  the  Hall  until  four  o'clock,  and  went  to  dine  with 
the  President.  It  was  a  great  dinner,  in  the  usual  style,  without  any  re 
markable  occurrences.  Mrs.  Washington  was  the  only  woman  present." — 
Journal  of  William  Maday. 

FRIDAY,  JULY  9. 

At  New  York :  "  July  9. — Exercised  on  Horseback  be 
tween  5  &  7  in  the  morning.  .  .  .  Many  visitors  (male  & 
female)  this  afternoon  to  M™  Washington." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"July  10. — Having  formed  a  Party,  consisting  of  the  Vice-President,  his 
lady,  Son  &  Miss  Smith ;  the  Secretaries  of  State,  Treasury,  &  War,  and  the 
ladies  of  the  two  latter ;  with  all  the  Gentlemen  of  my  family,  Mrs.  [Tobias] 

*  This  portrait,  which  represents  Washington  in  uniform,  standing  by  the 
side  of  a  horse,  was  bequeathed  by  Mrs.  Washington  to  Eliza  Parke  Law, 
wife  of  Thomas  Law,  and  daughter  of  her  son,  John  Parke  Custis.  The 
picture  is  small  (twenty  by  thirty  inches)  and  is  exquisitely  painted.  It  is 
now  owned  by  Mrs.  Kirby  Flower  Smith  (Charlotte  Rogers),  daughter  of 
the  late  Edmund  Law  Rogers,  of  Baltimore,  and  great-granddaughter  of 
Mrs.  Law.  This  is  the  original  from  which  the  large  painting  belonging  to 
the  city  of  New  York  was  executed. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  187 

Lear  &  the  two  Children,  we  visited  the  old  position  of  Fort  Washington 
and  afterwards  dined  on  a  dinner  provided  by  Mr  Mariner*  at  the  House 
lately  Col°  Koger  Morris, f  but  confiscated  and  in  the  occupation  of  a  common. 
Farmer.  July  11. — At  home  all  day — dispatching  some  business  relative  to 
my  own  private  concerns." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  JULY  12. 

At  New  York :  "  July  12. — Exercised  on  Horseback  be 
tween  5  &  6  in  the  morning.  Sat  for  Mr  Trumbull  from  9 
until  half  after  ten. — And  about  Noon  had  two  Bills  pre 
sented  to  me  by  the  joint  Committee  of  Congress — The  one 
'  An  Act  for  Establishing  the  Temporary  &  permanent  Seat 
of  the  Government  of  the  United  States.'  " —  Washington's 
Diary. 

The  "Act  for  establishing  the  Temporary  and  Permanent  Seat  of  the 
Government  of  the  United  States"  was  passed  by  Congress,  July  9,  1790, 
and  approved  by  the  President  July  16.  It  was  enacted  :  That  a  district  of 
territory  not  exceeding  ten  miles  square,  to  be  located  on  the  river  Potomac, 
at  some  space  between  the  mouths  of  the  Eastern  Branch  and  Conococheague, 
be  the  permanent  seat  of  the  government  of  the  United  States.  That  the 
President  be  authorized  to  appoint  three  Commissioners  to  survey,  define, 
and  limit  the  district  so  defined.  That  prior  to  the  first  Monday  in  Decem 
ber  next  all  offices  attached  to  the  seat  of  government  should  be  removed  to 
and,  until  the  first  Monday  in  December  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight 
hundred,  remain  at  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  at  which  place  the  next  session 
of  Congress  should  be  held. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  13. 

At  New  York :  "  July  13. — Again  sat  for  Mr  Trumbull 
from  9  until  half  past  10  o'clock.  A  good  deal  of  Company 
at  the  Levee  to  day.  July  14. — Exercised  on  Horseback 
from  5  until  near  7  o'clock." —  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  20. 

At  New  York:  "New  York.  July  21. — Yesterday  the 
Mayor  [Richard  Varick]  waited  on  the  President  of  the 

*  See  note  to  October  10,  1789. 

f  The  "  Koger  Morris  House"  is  still  standing  on  One  Hundred  and  Sixty- 
first  Street,  between  Ninth  and  Tenth  Avenues.  It  was  occupied  by  Wash 
ington  as  head-quarters  from  September  16  to  October  19,  1776. 


188  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

United  States,  and  presented  the  request  of  the  corporation 
that  he  would  honor  them  with  permitting  Mr.  Trumbull, 
to  take  his  portrait  to  be  placed  in  the  City-Hall,  as  a  mark 
of  the  respect  the  citizens  of  New  York  entertain  of  his 
virtues. 

"  The  President  was  pleased  to  express  the  favorable 
impressions  occasioned  by  the  application,  and  chearfully 
granted  the  request." — Pennsylvania  Packet,  July  23. 

This  life-size  portrait  (seventy-two  by  one  hundred  and  eight  inches),  still 
owned  by  the  city  of  New  York,  is  described  by  Mr.  Trumbull  in  his  auto 
biography  as  follows :  "I  returned  in  July  to  New  York,  where  I  was 
requested  to  paint  for  the  corporation  a  full-length  portrait  of  the  President. 
I  represented  him  in  full  uniform,  standing  by  a  white  horse,  leaning  his  arm 
upon  the  saddle  ;  in  the  background,  a  view  of  Broadway  in  ruins,  as  it  was 
then,  the  old  fort  at  the  termination  ;  British  ships  and  boats  leaving  the  shore, 
with  the  last  of  the  officers  and  troops  of  the  evacuating  army,  and  Staten 
Island  in  the  distance.  .  .  .  Every  part  of  the  detail  of  the  dress,  horse, 
furniture  &c.,  as  well  as  the  scenery,  was  accurately  copied  from  the  real 
objects." 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  21. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  July  22. — Yesterday  arrived 
in  this  city  Col.  Willet,  accompanied  by  Col.  M'Gillivray, 
with  thirty  warriors  of  the  Creek  and  Siminola  nations. 
They  embarked  at  Elizabeth-town  point,  about  ten  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  and  landed  on  Murray's  wharf  about  two 
P.M.  where  they  were  received  by  the  St.  Tammany  society, 
who  attended  on  the  occasion,  attired  in  the  most  splendid 
dresses  and  other  emblems  of  that  respectable  society." — 
Pennsylvania  Packet,  July  24. 

"The  society  was  drawn  up  in  two  files,  with  the  grand  sachem  at  the 
head,  who  welcomed  Colonel  M'Gillivray  ashore;  who,  with  the  warriors 
marched  in  the  centre  of  the  society,  which  proceeded  through  Wall-street. 
When  they  came  opposite  the  Federal  Hall,  Col.  M'Gillivray,  and  the 
warriors  saluted  the  Congress,  who  were  in  the  front  of  the  balcony,  and 
returned  the  compliment — The  procession  moved  on  to  the  Secretary  at 
War's  [in  the  lower  part  of  Broadway],  where  the  several  warriors  smoked 
the  calumet  of  peace,  and  next  proceeded  to  the  President's,  where  they 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  189 

were  particularly  introduced — after  which  they  waited  on  Governor  Clinton, 
still  accompanied  by  the  society,  who  afterwards  attended  them  to  the  city 
tavern,  where  they  took  up  their  lodgings  during  their  residence  in  this  city." 
— Idem. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  27. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  July  30. — Tuesday  last  [July 
27],  the  legion  of  General  Malcolm's  Brigade,  and  Col. 
Bauman's  Regiment  of  Artillery,  the  whole  commanded  by 
Col.  Rutgers,  were  reviewed  by  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  Governor  Clinton  accompanied  by  the  Kings 
and  Warriors  of  the  Creek  nation,  who  lately  arrived  in 
this  city. — The  troops  were  compleat  in  uniform  and  arms, 
and  performed  a  variety  of  firings  and  mano3vres  with  great 
precision." — Pennsylvania  Packet,  August  4. 

"  New  York,  July  30. — We  learn,  that  yesterday  there  was  an  entertain 
ment  given  on  board  the  ship  America,  Capt.  Sarly,  lately  from  Canton — 
which  was  honored  by  the  company  of  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
the  Secretary  of  War,  several  other  heads  of  departments,  the  Governor  of 
this  state — Col.  M'Gillivray,  with  the  Kings,  Headman,  and  Warriors  of  the 
Creeks,  and  a  very  respectable  company  of  officers  and  soldiers." — Pennsyl 
vania  Packet,  August  5. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  10. 

At  New  York :  "  I  have  received  in  their  due  order,  and 
have  to  acknowledge  at  this  time  my  obligations  for  your 
three  agreeable  letters,  in  date  October  16th  1789,  May  1st 
and  May  31st  of  the  present  year.  With  the  last  I  had  also 
the  pleasure  to  receive  the  key  of  the  Bastille ;  in  acknowl 
edgment  of  which  I  write  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette  by 
this  conveyance/'' — Washington  to  Thomas  Paine. 

Lafayette  had  intrusted  to  Thomas  Paine  for  transmission  to  the  President 
the  key  of  the  Bastille  and  a  drawing  of  that  prison  after  its  destruction  in 
July,  1789.  In  his  letter,  dated  Paris,  March  17,  the  Marquis  said,  "  Give 
me  leave,  my  dear  General,  to  present  you  with  a  picture  of  the  Bastille, 
just  as  it  looked  a  few  days  after  I  had  ordered  its  demolition,  with  the  main 
key  of  the  fortress  of  despotism.  It  is  a  tribute,  which  I  owe  as  a  son  to  my 
adopted  father,  as  an  aid-de-camp  to  my  general,  as  a  missionary  of  liberty  to 
its  patriarch." 


J90  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

The  key  still  remains  at  Mount  Vernon ;  the  drawing  was  sold  at  public 
sale  at  Philadelphia  in  April,  1891. 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  11. 

At  New  York :  "  Congress,  after  having  been  in  session 
ever  since  last  fall,  are  to  adjourn  in  two  or  three  days.*  .  .  . 
One  of  the  last  acts  of  the  executive  has  been  the  conclusion 
of  a  treaty  of  peace  and  friendship  with  the  Creek  nation 
of  Indians,  who  have  been  considerably  connected  with  the 
Spanish  provinces,  and  hostile  to  the  Georgia  frontiers  since 
the  war  with  Great  Britain.  McGillivray  and  about  thirty 
of  the  kings  and  head  men  are  here." — Washington  to  the 
Marquis  de  Lafayette. 

"  New  York,  August  14. — Yesterday  the  treaty  of  peace  and  friendship 
between  the  United  States  and  the  Creek  nation  was  solemnly  ratified  by  the 
contracting  parties,  in  Federal  Hall,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  assembly  of 
citizens. — The  vice-president  of  the  United  States — the  great  officers  of  state 
— his  excellency  the  governor — and  of  several  members  of  both  houses  of 
Congress. 

"At  12  o'clock  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  his  suite,  general 
Knox,  the  commissioner ;  the  clerks  of  the  department  of  the  secretary  at 
war;  colonel  M'Gillivray,  and  the  kings,  chiefs,  and  warriors  of  the  Creek 
nation  being  assembled,  the  treaty  was  read  by  the  secretary  of  the  president 
of  the  United  States. 

"The  president  then  addressed  colonel  M'Gillivray  the  kings,  chiefs  and 
warriors.  .  .  .  The  president  then  signed  the  treaty,  after  which  he  pre 
sented  a  string  of  beads  as  a  token  of  perpetual  peace,  and  a  paper  of  to 
bacco  to  smoke  in  remembrance  of  it :  Mr.  M'Gillivray  rose,  made  a  short 
reply  to  the  president,  and  received  the  tokens.  This  was  succeeded  by 
the  shake  of  peace,  every  one  of  the  Creeks  passing  this  friendly  salute  with 
the  president:  a  song  of  peace,  performed  by  the  Creeks,  concluded  this 
highly  interesting,  solemn  and  dignified  transaction." — Pennsylvania  Packet, 
August  18. 

SUNDAY,  AUGUST  15. 

Leaves  New  York :  "  New  York,  August  26. — On  Sunday 
morning,  the  15th  inst,  the  President  of  the  United  States 

*  The  second  session  of  the  first  Congress  under  the  new  Constitution  ad 
journed  on  August  12,  1790. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  191 

embarked  for  Newport,  on  a  visit  to  the  state  of  Rhode 
Island,  accompanied  by  Governor  Clinton,  Mr.  Jefierson, 
Secretary  of  State ;  the  Hon.  Judge  Blair,  Mr.  Smith  of 
S.  Carolina,  and  three  gentlemen  of  his  family  [Colonel 
Humphreys,  Major  Jackson,  and  Mr.  Nelson]."  * — Pennsyl 
vania  Packet,  August  28. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  17. 

At  Newport,  Rhode  Island  :  "  New  York,  August  26. — 
The  President  arrived  at  Newport  at  eight  o'clock  on 
Tuesday  morning  [August  17],  at  which  time  he  was  wel 
comed  to  the  state  by  a  salute  from  the  fort.  From  the 
landing  place  he  was  attended  to  his  lodgings  by  the  prin 
cipal  inhabitants  of  the  town,  who  were  severally  presented 
to  him.  He  then  walked  round  the  town,  and  surveyed  the 
various  beautiful  prospects  from  the  eminences  above  it. 
At  four  o'clock  he  was  waited  on  by  the  most  respectable 
citizens  of  the  place,  who  conducted  him  to  the  Town  Hall, 
where  a  very  elegant  dinner  was  provided,  and  several 
toasts  drank.  After  dinner  he  took  another  walk,  accom 
panied  by  a  large  number  of  gentlemen.f 

"  On  Wednesday  morning  at  nine  o'clock  the  President 
and  his  company  embarked  for  Providence." — Pennsylvania 
Packet,  August  28. 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  18. 

At  Providence,  Rhode  Island  :  "  Providence,  August  19. — 
Yesterday  about  four  o'clock  P.M.  arrived  from  New  York, 

*  Rhode  Island  having  ratified  the  Constitution  on  May  29,  1790,  was 
now  included  in  the  new  order  of  things,  and  the  President,  having  already 
visited  the  other  Eastern  States,  determined  before  leaving  New  York  to 
make  a  short  tour  through  the  State  which  was  the  last  to  come  into  the 
Federal  Union. 

f  On  this  day  the  President  received  addresses  from  the  clergy  of  Newport, 
from  the  Hebrew  congregation  of  Newport,  and  from  the  master,  wardens, 
and  brethren  of  King  David's  Lodge  in  Newport,  Rhode  Island ;  all  of 
which  he  answered. 


192  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1790 

in  the  Packet  Hancock,  Capt.  Brown,  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  with  his  suite,  accompanied  by  his  excellency 
Governor  Clinton  of  New  York ;  the  hon.  Thomas  Jeffer 
son,  Esq.  secretary  of  state;  the  hon.  Theodore  Foster, 
Esq.  one  of  the  senators  from  this  state ;  Judge  Blair ; 
Mr.  Smith  of  South  Carolina;  and  Mr.  Gorman  of  New 
Hampshire,  member  of  Congress." — Pennsylvania  Packet, 
August  30. 

"A  procession  [civil  and  military]  was  formed  agreeable  to  a  previous 
arrangement,  and  the  President  escorted  to  his  lodgings  at  Mr.  Daggett's. 
On  the  President's  landing  a  Federal  Salute  was  fired,  and  the  bells  in  town 
rang  a  joyful  peal.  The  salute  was  reiterated  on  his  arrival  at  Mr.  Daggett's. 
The  general  attendance  of  almost  every  inhabitant  of  the  town  in  the  pro 
cession,  together  with  the  brilliant  appearance  of  the  ladies  at  the  windows 
and  doors  of  the  houses,  evinced  in  the  most  sensible  manner  their  pleasure 
on  this  happy  occasion.  In  the  evening  the  college  edifice  was  splendidly 
illuminated. " — Idem. 

THUESDAY,  AUGUST  19. 

At  Providence  :  "  Providence,  August  21. — On  Thursday 
[August  19],  in  the  forenoon,  the  President,  accompanied 
by  the  gentlemen  who  came  passengers  with  him,  and 
many  of  the  citizens,  walked  thro'  the  principal  streets,  to 
view  the  town,  in  the  course  of  which  they  were  escorted 
to  the  college  by  the  students,  and  by  Dr.  [James]  Manning 
introduced  into  the  college  library  and  museum,  and  after 
wards  went  on  board  a  large  Indiaman  on  the  stocks 
belonging  to  Messrs.  Browne  and  Francis." — Pennsylvania 
Packet,  August  31. 

"  At  three  o'clock  an  elegant  entertainment  was  served  in  the  Court 
house,  for  upwards  of  two  hundred  persons.  Thirteen  toasts  were  drank 
under  discharges  of  cannon.  At  the  close  of  the  toasts,  the  President  gave 
'  The  Town  of  Providence,' — rose  from  the  table,  and  went  immediately  on 
board  Capt.  Brown's  Packet  for  departure.  He  was  attended  by  a  very 
numerous  procession — which  returned  to  Governor  [Arthur]  Fenner's,  and 
after  three  cheers  dispersed  in  good  order.  It  may  be  proper  to  remark, 
that  no  untoward  accident  took  place — that  every  countenance  indicated  the 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  193 

most  heart  felt  joy,  and  that  we  have  reason  to  believe  the  President  was 
perfectly  satisfied  with  his  reception."* — Idem. 

SUNDAY,  AUGUST  22. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  August  26.— The  President 
of  the  United  States  arrived  in  this  city  on  Sunday  [August 
22],  after  a  short  and  agreeable  passage  of  24  hours." — 
Pennsylvania  Packet,  August  28. 

"The  visit  [to  Khode  Island]  was  gratifying  to  the  citizens  as  it  was 
unexpected.  All  classes  vied  with  each  other  in  demonstrations  of  joy, 
respect  and  admiration : — The  pleasing  affability  and  gracious  manners  of 
the  President,  and  his  polite  attention  to  the  great  number  of  citizens  who 
were  successfully  presented  to  him,  added  if  possible,  to  that  love  which  was 
felt  before.  When  he  withdrew  from  table  at  Newport,  the  company  rising, 
drank  the  following  toast — The  man  we  love — and  never  was  a  toast  drank 
with  more  severity. — When,  '  The  President  of  the  United  States'  was  given 
at  Providence,  the  huzzas,  plaudits,  and  shouts  of  the  company  within  and 
without  the  Town  Hall,  continued  for  some  time.  There  never  was,  per 
haps,  a  greater  exhibition  of  sincere  public  happiness  than  upon  this  occa 
sion  ;  every  individual  thought  he  beheld  a  friend  and  patron  ;  a  father  or  a 
brother  after  a  long  absence ;  and  on  his  part,  the  President  seemed  to  feel 
the  joy  of  a  father  on  the  return  of  the  prodigal  son.f  We  have  little  room 
to  doubt  that  his  visit  to  the  state  of  Rhode  Island  will  be  productive  of 
happy  effects,  for  whatever  aversion  the  citizens  of  that  state  may  have 
hitherto  had  to  the  new  government,  they  must  now  feel  a  confidence  in 
the  administration  of  one  who  possesses  their  universal  esteem,  and  of  whose 
virtues  and  patriotism  they  have,  upon  numerous  occasions,  had  the  strongest 
pledges. " — Idem. 

SATURDAY,  AUGUST  28. 

At  New  York :  "  New  York,  August  31. — On  Saturday 
last  [August  28]  the  governor  of  this  state,  the  mayor  of 
the  city,  and  the  corporation,  were  regaled  at  the  festive 
board  of  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  We  are  informed,  that  on  this  occasion  the  President 

*  On  this  day  the  President  was  waited  upon  by  the  Society  of  the  Cin 
cinnati  of  Rhode  Island,  and  received  addresses  from  the  inhabitants  of 
Providence  and  from  the  Corporation  of  Rhode  Island  College,  both  of 
which  he  answered. 

f  In  allusion  to  the  delay  of  Rhode  Island  in  ratifying  the  National  Con 
stitution. 

13 


194  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

took  an  opportunity  to  express  his  great  reluctance  at 
leaving  the  city,  and  those  who  had  taken  so  much  pains 
to  treat  him,  not  only  with  dignified  respect,  but  with 
reverence  and  esteem,  as  the  Father  and  Patron  of  the 
United  States.  Mrs.  Washington,  also,  seemed  hurt  at  the 
idea  of  bidding  adieu  to  these  hospitable  shores." — Pennsyl 
vania  Packet,  September  2. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  30. 

Leaves  New  York :  *  "  New  York,  August  31. — Yester 
day,  about  nine  o'clock  the  corporation  attended  at  the 
Presidency  in  Broadway,  where  the  governor  of  this  state, 
the  executive  officers  of  government,  several  other  officers, 
gentlemen  of  the  clergy,  and  others,  had  already  assembled 
to  take  their  leave." — Pennsylvania  Packet,  September  2. 

"  About  ten  o'clock  the  procession  moved  for  the  President's  barge  which 
was  laying  at  M'Comb's  wharf  on  the  North  Kiver,  in  the  following  order: 
Sheriff  with  his  insignia  of  office — Marshals  and  Constables,  with  insignias — 
Gov.  Clinton — PRESIDENT — Chief  Justice  Jay — The  Executive  Officers  of 
Government — Corporation  of  New- York— Several  Officers — Clergy — Citi 
zens.  At  the  wharf  the  escort  opened  to  the  right  and  left,  when  the  Presi 
dent,  his  Lady,  &c  accompanied,  marched  forward  and  entered  on  board  the 
barge,  under  the  discharge  of  a  salute  of  13  guns  from  the  battery.  .  .  .  The 
barge  was  manned  with  13  men,  in  a  uniform  of  white  jackets  and  black 
caps ;  the  weather  was  serene  and  beautiful,  and  a  few  minutes  landed  them 
at  Powles  Hook  ferry  [Jersey  City],  where  the  carriages  of  the  President 
and  suite  were  waiting." — Idem. 

THUKSDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  2. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  September  4. — Thursday  last  [Septem 
ber  2]  about  2  o'clock  arrived  in  town  from  New- York,  the 
President  of  the  United  States — his  Lady,  and  their  suite.f 

*  "  New  York,  August  26. — The  President  will  leave  this  place  on  Mon 
day  [August  30] — reach  Elizabeth  Town  that  night — Brunswick  on  Tues 
day  night — Trenton  on  Wednesday  night — Breakfast  at  Bristol  on  Thursday 
morning,  and  proceed  from  thence  to  Philadelphia." — Tobias  Lear  to  Clem 
ent  Biddle,  MS.  Letter. 

f  Besides  the  President  and  Mrs.  Washington,  the  travelling  party  com 
prised  Eleanor  Parke  and  George  Washington  Parke  Custis,  the  two  grand- 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  195 

They  were  joined  on  their  approach  by  a  number  of  re 
spectable  citizens — the  city  troops  of  horse,  artillery,  and 
companies  of  light  infantry,  who  on  this  occasion,  as  well 
as  others,  all  testified  their  affection  for  the  BENEFACTOR  OF 
MANKIND.' ' —  Pennsylvania  Packet. 

"Every  public  demonstration  of  joy  was  manifested; — the  bells  an 
nounced  his  welcome — afeue  dejoye  was  exhibited — and  as  he  rode  through 
town,  to  the  City  Tavern,  age  bowed  with  respect,  and  youth  repeated,  in 
acclamations,  the  applauses  of  the  Hero  of  the  Western  World.  At  4 
o'clock  he  partook  of  a  repast  (provided  by  the  Corporation  at  the  City 
Tavern)  accompanied  by  the  members  of  our  Legislature  and  of  the  state 
Convention — by  the  President  [Thomas  Mifflin]  and  other  executive  officers 
of  Pennsylvania,  at  which  EEASON,  VALOR  and  HOSPITALITY  presided. 
After  dinner  thirteen  toasts  were  drank.  In  the  evening  there  was  a  bril 
liant  display  of  fire  works  in  Market  street." — Idem. 

FRIDAY,  SEPEMBER  3. 

At  Philadelphia :  Dines  with  the  members  of  the  Con 
vention  for  revising  the  Constitution  of  Pennsylvania,  who, 
having  finished  their  business  the  day  before,  had  adjourned 
with  an  understanding  that  they  should  come  together  as  a 
body  the  next  day  to  meet  President  Washington. 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  4. 

At  Philadelphia:  "September  8. — The  President  of  the 
United  States  during  his  short  stay  in  this  city,  received 
every  mark  of  respect,  attention  and  affection  to  his  person, 
which  the  public  or  individuals  could  demonstrate  :  of  the 
latter  we  cannot  omit  mentioning  an  elegant  F&te  Champetre 
that  was  given  to  this  illustrious  personage,  his  amiable 
consort  and  family,  on  Saturday  last  [September  4]  on  the 
banks  of  the  Schuylkill,  in  the  highly  improved  grounds 
of  the  Messrs.  Gray,  by  a  number  of  respectable  private 
citizens." — Pennsylvania  Packet. 


children  of  Mrs.  Washington,  Major  William  Jackson,  Thomas  Nelson,  two 
maids,  four  white  and  four  black  servants,  and  sixteen  horses. 


196  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1790 

"The  company  amounting  to  near  two  hundred  ladies  and  gentlemen, 
assembled  at  two  o'clock,  and  at  three  sat  down  to  a  sumptuous  and  splendid 
cold  collation  in  which  (though  only  24  hours  were  given  for  the  prepara 
tion)  all  viands  and  fruits  of  the  season  were  assembled  and  elegantly  ar 
ranged.  A  band  of  music  played  during  the  repast,  and  at  the  close  several 
excellent  songs  were  sung,  and  toasts  were  given.  The  President  and  Ladies 
then  withdrew ;  when  the  following  toast  was  drank  with  loud  applause. 
The  ILLUSTKIOUS  TRAVELLEKS."— Idem. 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBER  5. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  After  a  pleasant  journey  we  arrived 
in  this  city  on  Thursday  last,  and  to-morrow  we  proceed 
(if  Mrs.  Washington's  health  will  permit,  for  she  has  been 
much  indisposed  since  we  came  here)  toward  Mount  Ver- 
non." — Washington  to  Tobias  Lear. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  6. 

Leaves  Philadelphia  :  "  September  7. — Yesterday  morning 
the  President  of  the  United  States  proceeded  on  his  journey 
to  his  seat  in  Virginia." — Pennsylvania  Packet. 

WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  8. 

At  Baltimore :  Baltimore,  September  10. — On  Wednes 
day  last  [September  8]  at  Six  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the 
President  of  the  United  States  and  his  Lady,  attended  by 
their  suite,  arrived  here  from  Philadelphia,  on  their  way  to 
Mount  Vernon.  On  their  entrance  into  town  they  were 
received  and  saluted  by  a  Federal  discharge  from  Capt. 
Stodder's  company  of  artillery ;  and  such  other  public 
demonstrations  were  manifested  by  the  citizens  as  shewed 
the  most  unfeigned  affection  and  veneration  for  the  ILLUS 
TRIOUS  TRAVELLERS."— Pennsylvania  Packet,  Septem 
ber  16. 

"  Baltimore,  September  10. — Thursday  forenoon  [September  9],  the  Pres 
ident  was  waited  on  by  a  number  of  the  citizens,  whom  he  received  with  his 
usual  politeness  and  attention,  and,  at  four  o'clock  he  honored  the  merchants 
with  his  company  at  an  elegant  entertainment,  prepared  at  Mr.  Grant's 
tavern,  at  which  his  suite  and  several  other  gentlemen  were  present.  Thir 
teen  toasts  were  drank  on  this  occasion. ' ' — Idem. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  197 

FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  10. 

Leaves  Baltimore :  "  Baltimore,  September  10. — This 
morning  at  six  o'clock,  the  President,  his  Lady  and  suite, 
set  out  on  their  journey.  Captain  Stodder  saluted  them  on 
their  departure,  with  a  Federal  Discharge  from  his  Artil 
lery  Park." — Pennsylvania  Packet,  September  16. 

"  George-Town,  September  15. — Last  Saturday  [September  11]  about 
eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  arrived  here  from  Bladensburg,  where  they 
lodged  the  preceding  night,  the  PRESIDENT  of  the  United  States,  his  Lady 
and  suite,  on  their  way  to  Mount  Vernon.  The  members  of  the  Patowmack 
Company  of  Alexandria,  and  this  place,  met  their  illustrious  President  at 
Mr.  John  Suter's,  notwithstanding  the  fatigue  of  a  long  journey,  his  Excel 
lency  proceeded  to  business  respecting  the  navigation  of  the  Patowmack." — 
The  Pennsylvania  Mercury,  September  21. 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  11. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  September  23. — The  President  of  the 
United  States  arrived  at  Mount  Vernon  on  Saturday,  the 
llth  instant." — Pennsylvania  Packet. 

"  Mount  Vernon,  16  Sept.  1790. — I  have  been  here  two  days,  and  have 
seen  most  of  the  improvements  which  do  honour  at  once  to  the  taste  and 
industry  of  our  Washington.  I  have  been  treated  as  usual  with  every  most 
distinguished  mark  of  kindness  and  attention.  Hospitality  indeed  seems  to 
have  spread  over  the  whole  its  happiest,  kindest  influence.  The  President 
exercises  it  in  a  superlative  degree,  from  the  greatest  of  its  duties  to  the 
most  trifling  minutiae,  and  Mrs.  Washington  is  the  very  essence  of  kindness. 
Her  soul  seems  to  overflow  with  it  like  the  most  abundant  fountain  and  her 
happiness  is  in  exact  proportion  to  the  number  of  objects  upon  which  she 
can  dispense  her  benefits." — Thomas  Lee  Shippen  to  Dr.  William  Ship- 
pen,  Jr. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  3. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  In  a  letter  of  this  date  to  Tobias 
Lear,  Washington  requests  that  a  transcript  be  made  of  one 
from  Count  d'Estaing,  referring  to  a  bust  of  M.  decker, 
which  had  been  sent  to  him  by  the  Count. 

This  small  Parian  bust  of  M.  Necker,  the  famous  French  Minister  of 
Finance,  which  stood  for  many  years  on  a  bracket  in  the  library  at  Mount 
Vernon,  is  now  in  the  possession  of  The  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania, 


198  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

having  been  purchased  (April,  1891)  from  Lawrence  Washington,  son  of 
Colonel  John  Augustine  Washington,  the  last  private  owner  of  Mount 
Vernon.  It  bears  upon  a  brass  plate  on  the  pedestal  the  following  inscrip 
tion  :  "  Presented  to  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  President  of  the  UNITED 
STATES  of  AMERICA  by  his  most  dutiful,  most  obedient  and  most  humble 
servant,  Estaing,  a  Citizen  of  the  state  of  Georgia,  by  an  act  of  22d  feb.  1785, 
and  a  Citizen  of  France  in  1790." 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  10. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  We  are  approaching  the  first  Mon 
day  in  December  by  hasty  strides.  I  pray  you,  therefore, 
to  revolve  in  your  mind  such  matters  as  may  be  proper  for 
me  to  lay  before  Congress,  not  only  in  your  department,  if 
any  there  be,  but  such  others  of  a  general  nature,  as  may 
happen  to  occur  to  you,  that  I  may  be  prepared  to  open  the 
session  with  such  communications  as  shall  appear  to  merit 
attention." — Washington  to  Alexander  Hamilton. 

Congress  had  adjourned  at  New  York  on  the  12th  day  of  August,  to  meet 
at  Philadelphia  the  first  Monday  of  December,  in  pursuance  of  the  act  of 
July  9,  fixing  the  seat  of  government  in  that  city  until  the  first  Monday  in 
December,  1800. 

WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBER  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  In  a  letter  of  this  date  written  to 
Tobias  Lear  at  Philadelphia,  Washington  states  that  he  had 
just  returned  from  a  twelve  days'  excursion  up  the  Potomac. 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  have  had  the  pleasure  to  receive 
your  letters  of  the  llth  of  May  and  12th  of  July  last,  to 
gether  with  the  nattering  mark  of  your  and  Madame  de 
Brehan's  regard,  which  accompanied  the  former;  for  which, 
and  the  obliging  satisfaction  you  express  on  the  restoration 
of  my  health,  I  beg  you  and  her  to  accept  my  grateful 
acknowledgments." — Washington  to  the  Count  de  Moustier. 

The  flattering  mark  of  regard  on  the  part  of  the  Count  de  Moustier  and 
his  sister,  referred  to  in  the  above-quoted  letter,  consisted  of  some  proof 
impressions  of  the  engraving  by  A.  F.  Sergent,  after  the  profile  of  the 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  199 

President  executed  by  Madame  de  Brehan  from  the  sitting  recorded  in  the 
Diary  of  October  3,  1789.  One  of  these  impressions,  presented  to  Mrs. 
Robert  Morris  with  the  compliments  of  the  President,  was  in  turn  presented 
by  a  granddaughter  of  Mrs.  Morris  to  General  George  B.  McClellan  shortly 
after  the  battle  of  Antietam.  An  admirable  copy  of  this  print  was  made  by 
Charles  Burt ;  it  is  described  in  Baker's  "Engraved  Portraits  of  Washing 
ton,"  page  70. 

WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  17. 

At  Alexandria :  Present  at  a  dinner  given  to  him  by  the 
citizens  of  Alexandria. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  19. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  expect  to  commence  my  journey 
for  Philadelphia  on  Monday  [November  22] — but  from  the 
state  of  the  Roads  after  the  incessant  and  heavy  rains  which 
have  fallen,  my  progress  must  be  slow." — Washington  to 
General  Knox. 

November  23. — Washington,  writing  to  Tobias  Lear  under  this  date,  from 
Spurrier's  Tavern,  ten  miles  south  of  Baltimore,  says,  "The  roads  are  in 
famous — no  hope  of  reaching  Baltimore  to  night ;  we  have  not  yet  gone  to 
dinner,  but  are  waiting  for  it." 

SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  27. 

At  Philadelphia:  "  November  27. — This  forenoon  [at  eleven 
o'clock]  the  President  of  the  United  States,  George  Wash 
ington,  arrived  here  from  his  seat  in  Virginia  [with  his 
lady  and  family],  and  proceeded  to  the  house  of  Robert 
Morris  on  Market  Street,  provided  for  him  by  the  city 
corporation." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

The  house  owned  by  Robert  Morris,  and  occupied  by  the  President  during 
his  residence  in  Philadelphia,  was  on  the  south  side  of  Market,  sixty  feet 
east  of  Sixth  Street.  The  original  building  erected  by  Mary  Masters  (widow 
of  William  Masters),  prior  to  1772,  was  successively  occupied  by  Richard 
Penn,  who  married  Mary  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  Masters;  by  General  Howe 
as  head-quarters  during  the  possession  of  the  city  by  the  British  ;  by  Bene 
dict  Arnold,  after  the  evacuation  ;  and  by  John  Holker,  Consul-General  of 
France.  During  the  occupancy  of  the  latter  the  house  was  partially  con- 


200  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1790 

sumed  by  fire  (January  2,  1780)  and  rendered  uninhabitable.*  After  this 
date,  Kobert  Morris  contracted  for  the  purchase  of  the  ground  with  the  ruins, 
and  caused  the  mansion  to  be  "  rebuilt  and  repaired,"  and  finally  obtained  a 
deed  for  the  same  from  Mrs.  Masters,  Richard  Penn  and  wife,  and  Sarah 
Masters,  dated  August  25,  1785.  Mr.  Morris  was  living  in  the  house  at  this 
time. 

Richard  Rush,  in  his  "Reminiscences,"  speaking  of  the  house  as  it  ap 
peared  in  his  boyhood,  when  Washington  lived  in  it,  says,  "  It  was  a  large 
double  house.  To  the  east  a  brick  wall  six  or  seven  feet  high  ran  well  on 
toward  Fifth  street,  until  it  met  other  houses ;  the  wall  enclosed  a  garden, 
which  was  shaded  by  lofty  old  trees,  and  ran  back  to  what  is  now  Minor 
street,  where  the  stables  stood.  To  the  west  no  building  adjoined  it,  the 
nearest  house  in  that  direction  being  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Market, 
where  lived  Robert  Morris." 

The  house  was  taken  down  in  1833  and  three  stores  erected  upon  the  site, 
now  known  as  Nos.  526,  528,  and  530  Market  Street.f 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  7. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  8. — Yesterday,  at  the  levee 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  IGNATIUS  PALYRAT, 
Esq;  as  Consul-General  from  her  most  faithful  Majesty  the 
Queen  of  Portugal  to  the  United  States  of  America,  was 
presented  by  the  Hon.  Thomas  Jefferson,  Secretary  of 
State,  and  most  graciously  received. "J — Pennsylvania  Packet. 

The  Presidential  levees  at  Philadelphia  were  held  every  Tuesday  between 
three  and  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  at  which  Washington  understood 
that  he  was  visited  as  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  not  on  his  own 
account.  The  visitors  were  either  introduced  by  his  secretary  or  by  some 
gentleman  whom  he  knew  himself.  The  place  of  reception  was  the  dining- 
room  on  the  first  floor,  in  the  rear  of  the  house. 

"  At  three  o'clock,  or  at  any  time  within  a  quarter  of  an  hour  afterward, 
the  visitor  was  conducted  to  this  dining  room,  from  which  all  seats  had  been 
removed  for  the  time.  On  entering,  he  saw  the  tall  manly  figure  of  Wash- 

*  "January  2,  1780. — Early  this  morning  a  fire  broke  out  in  Mr.  Penn's 
house  on  Market  Street,  occupied  by  Mr.  Holker,  the  French  Consul,  which 
was  consumed  to  the  first  floor." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

|  The  site  has  lately  (May  8,  1897)  been  marked  by  a  tablet  erected  by 
The  Pennsylvania  Society  of  Sons  of  the  Revolution  on  No.  528,  the  middle 
building. 

J  "December,  7,  1790. — The  first  levee  was  held  this  day,  at  which  I  at 
tended." — Journal  of  William  Maclay. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  201 

ington  clad  in  black  velvet;  his  hair  in  full  dress,  powdered  and  gathered 
behind  in  a  large  silk  bag  ;  yellow  gloves  on  his  hands  ;  holding  a  cocked 
hat  with  a  cockade  in  it,  and  the  edges  adorned  with  a  black  feather  about  an 
inch  deep.  He  wore  knee  and  shoe  buckles  ;  and  a  long  sword,  with  a  finely 
wrought  and  polished  steel  hilt,  which  appeared  at  the  left  hip  ;  the  coat 
worn  over  the  sword,  so  that  the  hilt,  and  the  part  below  the  coat  behind, 
were  in  view.  The  scabbard  was  white  polished  leather.  He  stood  always 
in  front  of  the  fire-place,  with  his  face  towards  the  door  of  entrance.  The 
visitor  was  conducted  to  him,  and  he  required  to  have  the  name  so  distinctly 
pronounced  that  he  could  hear  it.  He  had  the  very  uncommon  faculty  of 
associating  a  man's  name,  and  personal  appearance,  so  durably  in  his  memory, 
as  to  be  able  to  call  one  by  name,  who  made  him  a  second  visit.  He  received 
his  visitor  with  a  dignified  bow,  while  his  hands  were  so  disposed  of  as  to 
indicate,  that  the  salutation  was  not  to  be  accompanied  with  shaking  hands. 
This  ceremony  never  occurred  in  these  visits,  even  with  his  most  near  friends, 
that  no  distinction  might  be  made. 

"  As  visitors  came  in,  they  formed  a  circle  around  the  room.  At  a  quarter 
past  three,  the  door  was  closed,  and  the  circle  was  formed  for  that  day.  He 
then  began  on  the  right,  and  spoke  to  each  visitor,  calling  him  by  name, 
and  exchanging  a  few  words  with  him.  When  he  had  completed  his  circuit, 
he  resumed  his  first  position,  and  the  visitors  approached  him  in  succession, 
bowed  and  retired.  By  four  o'clock  this  ceremony  was  over." — WILLIAM 
SULLIVAN,  Public  Men  of  the  Revolution,  page  120. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBEK  8. 

At  Philadelphia :  At  twelve  o'clock  addresses  both 
Houses  of  Congress  in  the  Senate  Chamber.* 

The  sessions  of  Congress  at  Philadelphia  were  held  in  the  two-story  brick 
building  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Sixth  and  Chestnut  Streets,  erected 
1787-89  for  a  county  building,  and  still  standing.  As  originally  constructed 
the  building  was  sixty-five  feet  in  depth  along  Sixth  Street,  the  Senate 
Chamber  being  in  the  second  story  back  room,  the  front  being  occupied  as 
committee  rooms.  In  1793,  however,  an  addition  was  made  to  the  rear  of 
about  thirty-seven  feet,  and  the  Senate  Chamber  moved  to  the  addition. 
The  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives  was  on  the  first  floor,  the  whole  of 
which  (including  the  addition)  was  in  one  chamber,  with  the  exception  of  a 
vestibule  running  along  the  full  front  on  Chestnut  Street,  and  containing  on 
the  left  of  the  main  entrance  the  staircase  leading  to  the  chambers  above. 

*  "December  8. — This  was  the  day  assigned  for  the  President  to  deliver 
his  speech,  and  was  attended  with  all  the  bustle  and  hurry  usual  on  such 
occasions.  The  President  was  dressed  in  black,  and  read  his  speech  well 
enough,  or  at  least  tolerably." — Journal  of  William  Maclay. 


202  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1790 

MONDAY,  DECEMBER  13. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  December  14. — At  12  o'clock  yester 
day,  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  attended  the  President 
at  his  own  house,  and  delivered  their  [answer  to  his]  ad 
dress.  At  2  o'clock  [December  14]  the  House,  preceded 
by  the  Sergeant  at  arms,  waited  upon  the  President,  and 
delivered  their  answer,  to  which  they  received  a  reply." — 
Pennsylvania  Packet. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  14. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  December  14. — This  was  levee  day, 
and  I  accordingly  dressed  and  did  the  needful.  It  is  an 
idle  thing,  but  what  is  the  life  of  men  but  folly  ? — and  this 
is  perhaps  as  innocent  as  any  of  them,  so  far  as  respects 
the  persons  acting.  The  practice,  however,  considered  as  a 
feature  of  royalty,  is  certainly  anti-republican.  This  cer 
tainly  escapes  nobody.  The  royalists  glory  in  it  as  a  point 
gained.  Republicans  are  borne  down  by  fashion  and  a  fear 
of  being  charged  with  a  want  of  respect  to  General  "Wash 
ington.  If  there  is  treason  in  the  wish  I  retract  it,  but 
would  to  God  this  same  General  Washington  were  in 
heaven !  We  would  not  then  have  him  brought  forward 
as  the  constant  cover  to  every  unconstitutional  and  irre- 
publican  act." — Journal  of  William  Maclay. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  15. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  25. — Wednesday  evening, 
the  15th.  inst.  the  Hon.  Judge  [James]  Wilson,  law  profes 
sor  in  the  College  of  Philadelphia,  delivered  his  introduc 
tory  lecture  in  the  College-hall  [Fourth,  below  Arch  Street]. 
The  President  of  the  United  States,  with  his  lady — also  the 
Vice-President,  and  both  houses  of  Congress,  the  President 
[Thomas  Mifflin]  and  both  houses  of  the  Legislature  of 
Pennsylvania,  together  with  a  great  number  of  ladies  and 
gentlemen,  were  present;  the  whole  composing  a  most  bril 
liant  and  respectable  audience." — Pennsylvania  Packet. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  203 

FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  24. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  26. — On  Friday  evening  last 
[December  24],  I  went  with  Charles  *  to  the  drawing- 
room,  being  the  first  of  my  appearance  in  public.  The 
room  became  full  before  I  left  it,  and  the  circle  very  bril 
liant.  How  could  it  be  otherwise,  when  the  dazzling  Mrs. 
Bingham  and  her  beautiful  sisters  [the  Misses  Willing] 
were  there ;  the  Misses  Allen,  and  Misses  Chew ;  in  short, 
a  constellation  of  beauties?" — Mrs.  John  Adams  to  Mrs. 
William  S.  Smith. 

Miss  Sally  McKean,  daughter  of  Thomas  McKean,  Chief-Justice  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  was  present  at  this  levee  or  drawing-room,  writing  to  a 
friend  in  New  York,  said,  "  You  never  could  have  had  such  a  drawing- 
room  ;  it  was  brilliant  beyond  any  thing  you  could  imagine ;  and  though 
there  was  a  good  deal  of  extravagance,  there  was  so  much  of  Philadelphia 
taste  in  every  thing  that  it  must  be  confessed  the  most  delightful  occasion 
of  the  kind  ever  known  in  this  country." 

At  the  levees  of  Mrs.  Washington,  which  were  held  every  Friday  evening, 
the  President  did  not  consider  himself  as  visited.  On  these  occasions  he 
appeared  as  a  private  gentleman,  with  neither  hat  nor  sword,  conversing 
without  restraint,  generally  with  women,  who  rarely  had  other  opportunities 
of  meeting  him. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  28. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  28. — This  being  levee  day,  I 
attended  in  a  new  suit.  This  piece  of  duty  I  have  not 
omitted  since  I  came  to  town  and  if  there  is  little  harm 
in  it  there  can  not  be  much  good." — Journal  of  William 
Maclay. 

*  The  third  child  of  John  and  Abigail  Adams.  The  other  children  were 
Abigail,  who  married  Colonel  William  Stephens  Smith,  John  Quincy,  and 
Thomas  Boylston. 


SATURDAY,  JANUARY  1. 

At  Philadelphia :  This  being  New  Year's  Day,  the  Presi 
dent  was  visited  by  members  of  Congress,  citizens,  and 
others,  to  pay  him  the  compliments  of  the  season. 

"January  1. — Just  as  I  passed  the  President's  house  Griffin  called  to  me 
and  asked  whether  I  would  not  pay  my  respects  to  the  President.  I  was  in 
boots  and  had  on  my  worst  clothes.  I  could  not  prevail  on  myself  to  go 
with  him.  I  had,  however,  passed  him  but  a  little  way  when  Osgood, 
Postmaster-General,  attacked  me  warmly  to  go  with  him.  I  was  pushed 
forward  by  him  ;  bolted  into  his  presence ;  made  the  President  the  compli 
ments  of  the  season ;  had  a  hearty  shake  by  the  hand.  I  was  asked  to 
partake  of  the  punch  and  cakes,  but  declined.  I  sat  down,  and  we  had 
some  chat.  But  the  diplomatic  gentry  and  foreigners  coming  in,  I  embraced 
the  first  vacancy  to  make  my  bow  and  wish  him  good  morning. ' ' — Journal 
of  William  Maclay. 

TUESDAY,  JANUARY  4. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  January  4. — It  was  levee  day.  I 
dressed  and  did  the  duty  of  it." — Journal  of  'William  Maclay. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  5. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  January  5. — We  hear  that  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  will  honour  the  Theatre  with  his 
presence,  this  evening." — Pennsylvania  Journal. 

The  advertisement  for  the  evening's  performance  was  as  follows:  "By 
Particular  Desire.  By  the  OLD  AMERICAN  COMPANY,  At  the 
THEATRE,  in  Southwark,*  This  Evening,  January  5  A  COMEDY— 
Called  The  School  for  Scandal.  DANCING  by  Mr.  [John]  Durang. 
To  which  will  be  added,  a  Comedy  in  two  acts,  Called,  The  Poor 
Soldier." 

*  The  Southwark  Theatre  was  at  the  corner  of  South  and  Apollo  (now 
Charles)  Streets,  between  Fourth  and  Fifth  Streets. 
204 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  205 

Charles  Durang,  in  his  "  History  of  the  Philadelphia  Stage,"  partly  com 
piled  from  the  papers  of  his  father,  John  Durang,  says,  "  'The  School  for 
Scandal,'  and  the  '  Poor  Soldier,'  were  the  favorite  pieces  of  General  George 
Washington,  such  was  his  revolutionary  designation,  whenever  he  was 
spoken  of  in  these  days.  These  pieces  were  often  acted  at  his  desire,  when 
ever  he  visited  the  theatre.  His  suite  was  generally  very  large,  and  filled 
nearly  the  whole  of  the  first  tier  of  boxes.  It  may  be  recollected  that  the  au 
ditory  was  of  limited  size.  The  presence  of  that  virtuous  and  pure  patriot, 
that  model  of  a  national  executive,  at  any  public  place,  was  the  harbinger 
of  enthusiastic  pleasure  to  all.  His  attendence  on  the  play  was  the  unfail 
ing  magnet  that  attracted  the  entire  circles  of  fashion,  and  of  all  classes  of 
the  sovereign  people,  to  do  homage  to  the  defender  and  founder  of  their 
national  institutions." 

SATURDAY,  JANUARY  8. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  January  8. — At  11  o'clock,  the  mem 
bers  of  Congress  and  the  [Pennsylvania]  Assembly  attended 
a  concert  in  the  Lutheran  Church  on  Fourth  Street  [corner 
of  Cherry].  The  President  of  the  United  States  with  his 
lady  were  present." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzhdmer. 

Jacob  Hiltzheimer,  a  German  by  birth,  settled  at  Philadelphia  in  the 
latter  part  of  1748.  He  was  a  member  of  the  State  Assembly  from  1786  to 
1797,  and  was  quite  a  prominent  citizen.  Mr.  Hiltzheimer  kept  a  diary  from 
1768  to  1798,  extracts  from  which  were  first  published  in  Volume  XVI.  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Magazine.  It  was  subsequently  privately  printed  at  Phil 
adelphia  in  1893.  He  died  of  yellow  fever  September  14,  1798.  Mr.  Hiltz 
heimer  became  the  owner,  in  July,  1777,  of  the  house  at  the  southwest  corner 
of  Seventh  and  Market  Streets,  in  which  Thomas  Jefferson  wrote  the  Dec 
laration  of  Independence. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  20. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  January  20. — Dined  with  the  Presi 
dent  this  day.  ...  I  have  now  seen  him  for  the  last  time, 
perhaps.  Let  me  take  a  review  of  him  as  he  really  is.  In 
stature  about  six  feet,  with  an  unexceptionable  make,  but 
lax  appearance.  His  frame  would  seem  to  want  filling  up. 
His  motions  rather  slow  than  lively,  though  he  showed  no 
signs  of  having  suffered  by  gout  or  rheumatism.  His  com 
plexion  pale,  nay,  almost  cadaverous.  His  voice  hollow 
and  indistinct,  owing  as  I  believe  to  artificial  teeth  before 


206  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  [1791 

his  upper  jaw,  which  occasioned  a  flatness  of  .  .  ." — Jour 
nal  of  William  Maclay. 

The  above  extract  from  the  Journal  of  William  Maclay,  published  in  1890, 
is,  unfortunately,  but  a  fragment,  the  editor,  Edgar  S.  Maclay,  stating  in  a 
note  that  "the  leaf  on  which  the  rest  of  the  description  was  written  had 
been  torn  out  and  lost." 

MONDAY,  JANUARY  24. 

At  Philadelphia :  Issues  a  proclamation  directing  the 
commissioners  appointed  under  the  act  of  July  16,  1790,  to 
run  four  lines  of  experiment  for  the  purpose  of  determining, 
for  immediate  acceptance,  the  locality  of  the  ten  miles 
square  on  the  Potomac  for  the  seat  of  government  of  the 
United  States. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUAKY  26. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  January  25. — To-morrow  the  Presi 
dent  dines  with  us,  the  Governor,  the  Ministers  of  State, 
and  some  Senators." — Mrs.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  William  S. 
Smith. 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  17. 

At  Philadelphia:  "February  21. — On  Thursday  last 
[February  17]  I  dined  with  the  President,  in  company  with 
the  ministers  and  ladies  of  the  court.  He  was  more  than 
usually  social.  .  .  .  He  asked  very  affectionately  after  you 
and  the  children,  and  at  table  picked  the  sugar-plums  from 
a  cake,  and  requested  me  to  take  them  for  Master  John." 
— Mrs.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  William  S.  Smith. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  23. — Yesterday  being  the 
Anniversary  of  the  Birth-Day  of  THE  PRESIDENT  OF 
THE  UNITED  STATES,  when  he  attained  to  the  59th 
year  of  his  age — the  same  was  celebrated  here  with  every 
demonstration  of  public  joy.  The  Artillery  and  Light- 
Infantry  corps  of  the  city  were  paraded,  and  at  12  O'clock 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  207 

a  federal  Salute  was  tired.  The  congratulatory  Compli 
ments  of  the  Members  of  the  Legislature  of  the  Union — 
the  Heads  of  the  Departments  of  State — Foreign  Ministers 
— Officers,  civil  and  military  of  the  State — the  Reverend 
Clergy — and  Strangers  and  Citizens  of  distinction,  were 
presented  to  the  President  on  this  auspicious  occasion." — 
Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

WEDNESDAY,  MARCH  2. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  March  2. — The  American  Philosoph 
ical  Society  held  in  this  city,  for  promoting  useful  knowl 
edge,  having  directed  that  an  eulogium  to  the  memory  of 
their  late  worthy  President  Doctor  Benjamin  Franklin,* 
should  be  prepared ;  the  society  met  this  morning,  at  their 
hall  [Fifth  Street  below  Chestnut],  and  proceeded  in  a 
body  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church  in  Fourth  street, 
when  the  Rev.  Dr.  [William]  Smith  pronounced  an  elegant 
oration  on  the  important  occasion. 

"  The  Society  invited  and  were  honored  with  the  attend 
ance  of — The  President  of  the  United  States  f  and  his  Lady. 
— The  Vice  President  and  his  Lady. — The  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States. — Both 
Houses  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State. — Foreign  Minis 
ters  and  consuls  &c  &c." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Ad 
vertiser. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAKCH  16. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  Congress  finished  their  session  on  the 
3d  of  March.J  .  .  .  They  made  provision  for  the  interest  on 

*  Benjamin  Franklin  died  in  Philadelphia  April  17,  1790. 

f  George  Washington  was  elected  a  member  of  the  American  Philosophi 
cal  Society  in  January,  1780. 

J  The  first  Congress  elected  under  the  new  Constitution  terminated  on  the 
third  day  of  March,  1791.  This  Congress  held  three  sessions  :  the  first  from 
March  4,  1789,  to  September  29,  1789;  the  second  from  January  4,  1790,  to 
August  12,  1790  ;  the  third  from  December  6,  1790,  to  March  3,  1791.  The 
first  and  second  sessions  were  held  in  New  York,  and  the  third  and  last  in 
Philadelphia. 


208  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

the  national  debt,  by  laying  a  higher  duty  than  that  which 
hitherto  existed  on  spirituous  liquors,  imported  or  manu 
factured;  they  established  a  national  bank;  they  passed 
[March  3,  1791]  a  law  for  certain  measures  to  be  taken 
towards  establishing  a  mint;*  and  finished  much  other 
business  of  less  importance,  conducting  on  all  occasions 
with  great  harmony  and  cordiality.  .  .  . 

"  The  remarks  of  a  foreign  Count  [Andriani]  are  such  as 
do  no  credit  to  his  judgment,  and  as  little  to  his  heart. 
They  are  the  superficial  observations  of  a  few  months'  resi 
dence,  and  an  insult  to  the  inhabitants  of  a  country,  where 
he  has  received  more  attention  and  civility  than  he  seems 
to  merit.'' — Washington  to  David  Humphreys. 

Count  Andriani,  of  Milan,  visited  the  United  States  in  1790.  He  was  the 
bearer  of  an  ode  addressed  to  Washington  by  Alfieri,  the  celebrated  Italian 
poet,  who  also  in  1788  had  dedicated  his  tragedy  of  "  The  First  Brutus"  to 
the  "most  illustrious  and  free  citizen,  General  Washington."  After  his 
return  to  Europe,  Andriani  published  an  abusive  account  of  American 
politics  and  manners,  to  which  Colonel  Humphreys,  under  date  of  London, 
October  31,  1790,  had  drawn  the  attention  of  the  President. 

SATTJKDAT,  MAKCH  19. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  The  tender  concern,  which  you  ex 
press  on  my  late  illness,  awakens  emotions,  which  words 
will  not  explain,  and  to  which  your  own  sensibility  can 
best  do  justice.  My  health  is  now*  quite  restored,  and  I 
flatter  myself  with  the  hope  of  a  long  exemption  from  sick 
ness.  On  Monday  next  I  shall  enter  on  the  practice  of 
your  friendly  prescription  of  exercise,  intending  at  that 
time  to  begin  a  journey  to  the  southward,  during  which  I 
propose  visiting  all  the  Southern  States." — Washington  to 
the,  Marquis  de  Lafayette. 


*  The  act  of  Congress  establishing  the  mint  and  regulating  the  coins  of 
the  United  States  was  passed  March  26,  1792,  and  approved  by  the  President 
on  April  2. 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  209 

MONDAY,  MARCH  21. 

Leaves  Philadelphia :  "  March  21. — Left  Philadelphia 
about  11  o'clock  to  make  a  tour  through  the  Southern 
States — Reached  Chester  about  3  o'clock — dined  and  lodged 
at  Mr.  Wythes.  ...  In  this  tour  I  was  accompanied  by 
Majr.  Jackson. — My  equipage  &  attendance  consisted  of  a 
Charriot  &  four  horses  drove  in  hand — a  light  baggage 
Waggon  &  two  horses — four  saddle  horses  besides  a  led 
one  for  myself — and  five — to  wit — my  Valet  de  Chambre, 
two  footmen,  Coachman  &  postillion." —  Washington's  Diary. 

'•'•March  22. — At  half  past  6  o'clock  we  left  Chester,  &  breakfasted  at 
Wilmington  .  .  .  crossing  Christiana  Creek  proceeded  through  Newcastle 
&  by  the  Red  Lyon  to  the  Buck  tavern  13  miles  from  Newcastle,  arid  19 
from  Wilmington  where  we  dined  and  lodged.  March  23. — Set  off  at  6 
o'clock — breakfasted  at  Warwick — bated  with  hay  9  miles  farther — and 
dined  and  lodged  at  the  House  of  one  Worrell's  in  Chester[town].  March 
24. — Left  Chestertown  about  6  o'clock — before  nine  I  arrived  at  Rock-Hall 
[on  the  Chesapeake  Bay]  where  we  breakfasted  and  immediately ;  after 
which  we  began  to  embark.  .  .  .  After  8  o'clock  P.M.  we  made  the  Mouth 
of  Severn  River  (leading  up  to  Annapolis)  but  the  ignorance  of  the  People 
on  board,  with  respect  to  the  navigation  of  it  run  us  aground  first  on  Green- 
bury  point  from  whence  with  much  exertion  and  difficulty  we  got  off;  & 
then,  having  no  knowledge  of  the  Channel  and  the  night  being  immensely 
dark  with  heavy  and  variable  squals  of  wind — constant  lightning  &  tremen 
dous  thunder — we  soon  got  aground  again  on  what  is  called  Home's  point — 
where  finding  all  efforts  in  vain,  &  not  knowing  where  we  were  we  re 
mained,  not  knowing  what  might  happen,  till  morning." — Washington's 
Diary. 

FRIDAY,  MARCH  25. 

At  Annapolis :  "  March  25. — Having  lain  all  night  in  my 
Great  Coat  &  Boots,  in  a  birth  not  long  enough  for  me  by 
the  head,  &  much  cramped;  we  found  ourselves  in  the 
morning  within  about  one  mile  of  Annapolis,  &  still  fast 
aground.  Whilst  we  were  preparing  our  small  Boat  in 
order  to  land  in  it,  a  sailing  Boat  came  of  to  our  assistance 
in  wch.  with  the  Baggage  I  had  on  board  I  landed.  .  .  . 

"  Was  informed  upon  my  arrival  (when  15  Guns  were 

14 


210  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

fired)  that  all  my  other  horses  arrived  safe  that  embarked 
at  the  same  time  I  did,  about  8  o'clock  last  night. 

"  Was  waited  upon  by  the  Governor  [John  Eager  How 
ard]  as  soon  as  I  arrived  at  Man's  tavern  &  was  engaged 
by  him  to  dine  with  the  Citizens  of  Annapolis  this  day  at 
Mann's  tavern,  and  at  his  House  to-morrow — the  first  I 
accordingly  did." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  March  26. — Dined  at  the  Governors — and  went  to  the  Assembly  in  the 
Evening  where  I  stayed  till  half  past  ten  o'clock.  March  27. — About  9 
o'clock  this  morning  I  left  Annapolis,  under  a  discharge  of  Artillery,  and 
being  accompanied  by  the  Governor  a  Mr.  Kilty  of  the  Council  and  Mr. 
Charles  Stuart  proceeded  on  my  Journey  for  George-Town.  Bated  at 
Queen  Ann,  13  miles  distant  and  dined  and  lodged  at  Bladensburgh. " — 
Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  MAKCH  28. 

At  George  Town :  "  March  28. — Left  Bladensburgh  at 
half  after  six,  &  breakfasted  at  George  Town  about  8 ; 
where,  having  appointed  the  Commissioners  under  the 
Residence  Law  to  meet  me,  I  found  Mr.  [Thomas]  Johnson 
one  of  them  (&  who  is  Chief  Justice  of  the  State)  in  wait- 
ins; — &  soon  after  came  in  David  Stuart  &  Danl.  Carroll 

O 

Esqrs.  the  other  two. — A  few  miles  out  of  Town  I  was 
met  by  the  principal  Citizens  of  the  place  and  escorted  in 
by  them ;  and  dined  at  Suter's  tavern  (where  I  also  lodged) 
at  a  public  dinner  given  by  the  Mayor  &  Corporation — 
previous  to  which  I  examined  the  Surveys  of  Mr.  [Andrew] 
Ellicot  who  had  been  sent  on  to  lay  out  the  district  of  ten 
miles  square  for  the  federal  seat ;  and  also  the  works  of 
Majr.  L'Enfant  who  had  been  engaged  to  examine  &  make 
a  draught  of  the  grds.  in  the  vicinity  of  George  Town  and 
Carrollsburg  on  the  Eastern  branch." — Washington's  Diari/. 

"  March  29. — Finding  the  interests  of  the  Landholders  about  Georgetown 
and  those  about  Carrollsburgh  much  at  variance  and  that  their  fears  and 
jealousies  of  each  were  counteracting  the  public  purposes  &  might  prove 
injurious  to  its  best  interests  whilst  if  properly  managed  they  might  be 
made  to  subserve  it — I  requested  them  to  meet  me  at  six  o'clock  this  after- 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  211 

noon  at  my  lodgings,  which  they  accordingly  did.  .  .  .  Dined  at  Col°  For 
rest's  to  day  with  the  Commissioners  &  others.  March  30. — The  parties  to 
whom  I  addressed  myself  yesterday  evening,  having  taken  the  matter  into 
consideration  saw  the  propriety  of  my  observations ;  and  that  whilst  they 
were  contending  for  the  shadow  they  might  loose  the  substance ;  and  there 
fore  mutually  agreed  and  entered  into  articles  to  surrender  for  public  pur 
poses,  one  half  of  the  land  they  severally  possessed  within  bounds  which 
were  designated  as  necessary  for  the  City  to  stand.  .  .  . 

"  This  business  being  thus  happily  finished  &  some  directions  given  to  the 
Commissioners,  the  Surveyor  and  Engineer  with  respect  to  the  mode  of  lay 
ing  out  the  district — Surveying  the  grounds  for  the  City  &  forming  them 
into  lots — I  left  Georgetown — dined  in  Alexandria  &  reached  Mount  Vernon 
in  the  evening." — Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  MAKCH  31.* 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Having  been  so  fortunate  as  to  rec 
oncile  the  contending  interests  of  Georgetown  and  Carrolls- 
burg,  and  to  unite  them  in  such  an  agreement  as  permits 
the  public  purposes  to  be  carried  into  effect  on  an  extensive 
and  proper  scale,  I  have  the  pleasure  to  transmit  to  you  the 
enclosed  proclamation,  which,  after  annexing  the  seal  of  the 
United  States,  and  your  countersignature,  you  will  cause  to 
be  published." —  Washington  to  Thomas  Jefferson. 

The  proclamation  alluded  to  in  the  above  letter  was  issued  for  the  purpose 
of  publicly  defining  the  lines  of  the  territory  selected  for  the  permanent 
seat  of  government  of  the  United  States.  It  is  dated  Georgetown,  March 
30.  The  descriptive  clause  is  as  follows  :  "  Beginning  at  Jones'  Point,  being 
the  upper  cape  of  Hunting  Creek  in  Virginia,  and  at  an  angle  in  the  outset 
of  forty-five  degrees  west  of  the  north,  and  running  in  a  direct  line  ten  miles 
for  the  first  line ;  then  beginning  again  at  the  same  Jones'  Point  and  run 
ning  another  direct  line  at  a  right  angle  with  the  first  across  the  Potomac, 
ten  miles,  for  the  second  line ;  then,  from  the  termination  of  the  said  first 
and  second  lines,  running  two  other  direct  lines  of  ten  miles  each,  the  one 
crossing  the  Eastern  Branch  aforesaid,  and  the  other  the  Potomac,  and  meet 
ing  each  other  in  a  point." 

MONDAY,  APKIL  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  shall  be  on  the  8th  of  April  at 
Fredericksburg,  the  llth  at  Richmond,  the  14th  at  Peters- 


*  "  March  31. — From  this  time,  until  the  7th  of  April,  I  remained  at 
Mount  Vernon — visiting  my  Plantations  every  day." — Washington's  Diary. 


212  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

burg,  the  16th  at  Halifax,  the  18th  at  Tarborough,  the  20th 
at  Newbern,  the  24th  at  Wilmington,  the  29th  at  George 
town,  South  Carolina;  on  the  2d  of  May  at  Charleston, 
halting  there  five  days;  on  the  llth  at  Savannah,  halting 
there  two  days.  Thence  leaving  the  line  of  the  mail,  I 
shall  proceed  to  Augusta;  and  according  to  the  information 
which  I  may  receive  there,  my  return  by  an  upper  road 
will  be  regulated." —  Washington  to  the  Secretaries  of  State, 
Treasury,  and  War. 

With  a  single  exception,  that  of  the  stay  in  Charleston  being  prolonged 
one  day  beyond  the  time  allowed,  this  itinerary  for  the  early  part  of  the 
southern  tour  was  accurately  fulfilled,  and  forms  an  interesting  example  of 
the  methodical  care  observed  by  Washington  in  all  the  affairs  of  his  life. 

THUKSDAY,  APKIL  7. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon :  "  April  7. — Recommenced  my 
journey  with  Horses  apparently  much  refreshed  and  in 
good  spirits.  .  .  .  Proceeded  to  Dumfries  where  I  dined — 
after  which  I  visited  &  drank  Tea  with  my  Niece  Mrs. 
Thos.  Lee."  * —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  April  8 — Set  out  about  6  o'clock — breakfasted  at  Stafford  Court  House — 
and  dined  and  lodged  at  my  Sister  Lewis's  in  Fredericksburgh." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  APRIL  9. 

At  Fredericksburg :  "April  9. — Dined  at  an  entertained 
given  by  the  Citizens  of  the  town. — Received  and  answered 
an  address  from  the  Corporation." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  April  10. — Left  Fredericksburgh  about  6  o'clock, — myself  Majr.  Jack 
son  and  one  Servant  breakfasted  at  General  Spotswood's — the  rest  of  my 
Servants  continued  on  to  Todd's  Ordinary  where  they  also  breakfasted. — 
Dined  at  the  Bowling  Green — and  lodged  at  Kenner's  Tavern  14  miles 
farther — in  all  35  m." — Washington's  Diary. 

*  Mildred,  daughter  of  John  Augustine  Washington.  She  married  (Octo 
ber,  1788)  Thomas,  the  eldest  son  of  Richard  Henry  Lee. 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  213 

MONDAY,  APKIL  11. 

At  Richmond  :  "  April  11. — Took  an  early  breakfast  at 
Kinner's — bated  at  one  Rawling's  half  way  between  that  & 
Richmd.  and  dined  at  the  latter  about  3  o'clock. — On  my 
arrival  was  saluted  by  the  Cannon  of  the  place — waited  on 
by  the  Governor  [Henry  Lee]  and  other  gentlemen — and 
saw  the  City  illuminated  at  night." — Washington's  Diary. 

"April  12. — In  company  with  the  Governor, — The  Directors  of  the  James 
Eiver  Navigation  Company — the  Manager  &  many  other  Gentlemen — I 
viewed  the  Canal,  Sluces,  Locks,  &  other  works  between  the  City  of«Rich- 
mond  &  Westham.  .  .  .  Received  an  Address  from  the  Mayor,  Aldermen 
&  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Richmond  at  three  o'clock,  &  dined  with 
the  Governor  at  4  o'clock.  April  13. — Dined  at  a  public  entertainment 
given  by  the  Corporation  of  Richmond." — Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  APRIL  14. 

At  Petersburg,  Virginia  :  "  April  14. — Left  Richmond 
after  an  early  breakfast — &  passing  through  Manchester 
received  a  Salute  from  cannon  &  an  Escort  of  Horse  under 
the  command  of  Captn.  David  Meade  Randolph  as  far  as 
Osbornes  where  I  was  met  by  the  Petersburgh  horse  & 
escorted  to  that  place  &  partook  of  a  Public  dinner  given 
by  the  Mayor  &  Corporation  and  went  to  an  Assembly  in 
the  evening  for  the  occasion  at  which  there  were  between 
60  &  70  ladies." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  April  15 — Set  out  a  little  after  five.  ...  I  came  twelve  miles  to  break 
fast,  at  one  Jesse  Lee's,  and  15  miles  farther  to  dinner ;  and  where  I  lodged, 
at  the  House  of  one  Oliver,  which  is  a  good  one  for  horses,  and  where  there 
are  tolerable  clean  beds.  .  .  .  April  16. — Got  into  my  Carriage  a  little  after 
5  o'clock,  and  travelled  thro'  a  cloud  of  dust  until  I  carne  within  two  or 
three  miles  of  Hix's  ford  when  it  began  to  Rain.  —  Breakfasted  at  one 
Andrew's  about  a  mile  after  passing  the  ford  (or  rather  the  bridge)  over 
Meherrin  River.  .  .  .  The  only  Inn  short  of  Hallifax  having  no  stables  in 
wch.  the  horses  could  be  comfortable  &  no  Rooms  or  beds  which  appeared 
tolerable  &  every  thing  else  having  a  dirty  appearance,  I  was  compelled  to 
keep  on  to  Hallifax  ;  27  miles  from  Andrews — 48  from  Olivers — and  75  from 
Petersburgh — At  this  place  (i.e.,  Hallifax)  I  arrived  about  six  o'clock,  after 
crossing  the  Roanoke ;  on  the  South  bank  of  which  it  stands." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 


214  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

SUNDAY,  APRIL  17. 

At  Halifax,  North  Carolina :  "  April  17.— Col°  [John  B.] 
Ashe  the  Representative  of  the  district  in  which  this  town 
stands,  and  several  other  Gentlemen  called  upon,  and  in 
vited  me  to  partake  of  a  dinner  which  the  Inhabitants  were 
desirous  of  seeing  me  at  &  excepting  it  dined  with  them 
accordingly." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"April  18. — Set  out  by  six  o'clock — dined  at  a  small  house  kept  by  one 
Slaughter,  22  Miles  from  Hallifax  and  lodged  at  Tarborough.  April  19. — 
At  6  o'clock  I  left  Tarborough  accompanied  by  some  of  the  most  respectable 
people  of  the  place  for  a  few  miles — dined  at  a  trifling  place  called  Green 
ville  25  miles  distant — and  lodged  at  one  Allan's  14  miles  further  a  very  in 
different  house  without  stabling  which  for  the  first  time  since  I  commenced 
my  Journey  were  obliged  to  stand  without  a  cover. ' ' —  Washington 's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  APRIL  20. 

At  Newbern,  North  Carolina :  "  April  20. — Left  Allans 
before  breakfast,  &  under  a  misapprehension  went  to  a  Col° 
Allans,  supposing  it  to  be  a  public  house ;  where  we  were 
very  kindly  &  well  entertained  without  knowing  it  was 
at  his  expence,  until  it  was  too  late  to  rectify  the  mistake. 
After  breakfasting,  &  feeding  our  horses  here,  we  pro 
ceeded  on  &  crossing  the  River  Neuse  11  miles  further 
arrived  in  Newborn  to  dinner.  At  this  ferry  which  is  10 
miles  from  Newbern,  we  were  met  by  a  small  party  of 
Horse  ;  the  district  Judge  (Mr.  [John]  Sitgreave)  arid  many 
of  the  principal  Inhabitants  of  Newbern,  who  conducted 
us  into  town  to  exceeding  good  lodgings." — Washington's 
Diary. 

" April  21. — Dined  with  the  Citizens  at  a  public  dinner  given  by  thorn; 
and  went  to  a  dancing  assembly  in  the  evening — both  of  which  was  at  what 
they  call  the  Pallace — formerly  the  Government  House  &  a  good  brick  build 
ing  but  now  hastening  to  Ruins. — The  Company  at  both  was  numerous  at 
the  latter  there  was  abt.  70  ladies.  April  22. — Under  an  Escort  of  horse, 
and  many  of  the  principal  Gentlemen  of  Newbern  I  recommenced  my  jour 
ney — dined  at  a  place  called  Trenton  which  is  the  head  of  the  boat  naviga 
tion  of  the  River  Trent,  wch.  is  crossed  at  this  place  on  a  bridge — and  lodged 
at  one  Shrine's  10  m.  farther — both  indifferent  Houses.  April  23. — Break- 


1791]"         WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  215 

fasted  at  one  Everets  12  miles  bated  at  a  Mr.  Foy's  12  miles  farther  and 
lodged  at  one  Sage's  20  miles  beyd.  it — all  indifferent  Houses.'1 — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  APKIL  24. 

At  Wilmington,  North  Carolina  :  "  April  24. — Break 
fasted  at  an  indifferent  House  about  13  miles  from  Sage's — 
and  three  miles  further  met  a  party  of  Light  Horse  from 
Wilmington ;  and  after  these  a  Commee.  &  other  Gentle 
men  of  the  Town ;  who  came  out  to  escort  me  into  it,  and 
at  which  I  arrived  under  a  federal  salute  at  very  good  lodg 
ings  prepared  for  me,  about  two  o'clock — at  these  I  dined 
with  the  Commee.  whose  company  I  asked." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

"  April  25. — Dined  with  the  Citizens  of  the  place  at  a  public  dinner  given 
by  them — Went  to  a  Ball  in  the  evening  at  which  there  were  62  ladies — 
illuminations,  Bonfires,  &c.  April  26. — Having  sent  my  Carriage  across 
the  day  before,  I  left  Wilmington  about  6  o'clock,  accompanied  by  most  of 
the  Gentlemen  of  the  Town,  and  breakfasting  at  Mr.  Ben  Smith's  lodged  at 
one  Kuss'  25  miles  from  Wilmington. — An  indifferent  House.  April  27. — 
Breakfasted  at  Willm.  Gause's  a  little  out  of  the  direct  Koad  14  miles — 
crossed  the  boundary  line  between  No.  &  South  Carolina  abt.  half  after  12 
o'clock  which  is  about  10  miles  from  Gause's — dined  at  a  private  house  (one 
Cochran's)  about  2  miles  farther — and  lodged  at  Mr.  Vareen's  14  miles  more. 
April  28. — Mr.  Vareen  piloted  us  across  the  Swash  .  .  .  and  it  being  at  a 
proper  time  of  the  tide  we  passed  along  it  with  ease  and  celerity  to  the  place 
of  quitting  it,  which  is  estimated  16  miles, — five  miles  farther  we  got  dinner 
&  fed  our  horses  at  a  Mr.  Pauley's  a  private  house,  no  public  one  being  on 
the  Koad  ; — and  being  met  on  the  Road,  &  kindly  invited  by  a  Doctor  Flagg 
to  his  house,  we  lodged  there;  it  being  about  10  miles  from  Pauley's  &  33 
from  Vareen's.  April  29.— We  left  Doctr.  Flagg's  about  6  o'clock,  and 
arrived  at  Captn.  Wm.  Alston's  on  the  Waggnmau  [Waccamaw]  to  Break 
fast.  At  Captn.  Alston's  we  were  met  by  General  Moultree,  Col°  [William] 
Washington  &  Mr.  Rutledge  (son  of  the  present  Chief  Justice  of  So.  Caro 
lina)  who  had  come  out  that  far  to  escort  me  to  town. — We  dined  and  lodged 
at  this  Gentlemans.  "  —  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  APRIL  30. 

At  Georgetown,  South  Carolina  :  "  April  30. — Boats  being 
provided  we  crossed  the  Waggamau  to  Georgetown  by  de 
scending  the  River  three  miles — at  this  place  we  were  reed. 


216  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

under  a  salute  of  Cannon,  &  by  a  Company  of  Infantry 
handsomely  uniformed. — I  dined  with  the  Citizens  in  pub 
lic  ;  and  in  the  afternoon,  was  introduced  to  upwards  of  50 
ladies  who  had  assembled  (at  a  Tea  party)  on  the  occasion." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  1. — Left  Georgetown  about  6  o'clock  and  crossing  the  Santee 
Creek  at  the  Town,  and  the  Santee  Kiver  12  miles  from  it  at  Lynch 's 
Island,  we  breakfasted  and  dined  at  Mrs.  Horry's  about  15  miles  from 
Georgetown  &  lodged  at  the  Plantation  of  Mr.  Manigold  [Manigault]  about 
19  miles  farther. —  Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  MAY  2. 

At  Charleston,  South  Carolina :  "  May  2. — Breakfasted 
at  the  Country  seat  of  Govr.  [Charles]  Pinckney  about  18 
miles  from  our  lodging  place,  &  then  came  to  the  ferry  at 
Haddrel's  point,  6  miles  further,  where  I  was  met  by  the 
Recorder  of  the  City,  Genl.  [Charles  Cotesworth]  Pinckney 
&  Edward  Rutledge,  Esqr.  in  a  12  oared  barge  rowed  by  12 
American  Captains  of  Ships,  most  elegantly  dressed. — 
There  were  a  great  number  of  other  Boats  with  Gentlemen 
and  ladies  in  them ; — and  two  Boats  with  Music ;  all  of 
them  attended  me  across,  and  on  the  passage  were  met  by 
a  number  of  others. — As  we  approached  the  town  a  salute 
with  artillery  commenced,  and  at  the  Wharf  I  was  met  by 
the  Governor,  the  Lt.  Governor,  the  Intendt.  of  the  city; 
— the  two  Senators  of  the  State  [Pierce  Butler  and  Ralph 
Izard],  Wardens  of  the  City — Cincinnati,  &c  &c.  and  con 
ducted  to  the  Exchange  where  they  passed  by  in  procession 
— from  thence  I  was  conducted  in  like  manner  to  my  lodgings 
— after  which  I  dined  at  the  Governors  (in  what  he  called 
a  private  way)  with  15  or  18  Gentlemen." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  May  3.— Breakfasted  with  Mrs.  [John]  Kutledge  (the  Lady  of  the  Chief- 
.Justice  of  the  State  who  was  on  the  Circuits)  arid  dined  with  the  Citizens 
at  a  public  dinr.  given  by  them  at  the  Exchange.  Was  visited  about  2 
o'clock,  by  a  great  number  of  the  most  respectable  ladies  of  Charleston — 
the  first  honor  of  the  kind  I  had  ever  experienced  and  it  was  as  flattering  as 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  217 

it  was  singular.  May  4. — Dined  with  the  Members  of  the  Cincinnati,  and 
in  the  evening  went  to  a  very  elegant  dancing  Assembly  at  the  Exchange — 
At  which  were  256  elegantly  dressed  &  handsome  ladies.  In  the  forenoon 
(indeed  before  breakfast  to  day)  I  visited  and  examined  the  lines  of  attack 
&  defence  of  the  City  and  was  satisfied  that  the  defence  was  noble  &  hon 
orable  altho'  the  measure  was  undertaken  upon  wrong  principles  and  im 
politic.  May  5. — Visited  the  works  of  Fort  Johnson  James'  Island,  and 
Fort  Moultree  on  Sullivan's  Island;  both  of  which  are  in  Ruins.  .  .  . 
Dined  with  a  very  large  Company  at  the  Governor's  &  in  the  evening  went 
to  a  Concert  at  the  Exchange  at  wch.  there  were  at  least  400  ladies  the 
number  &  appearance  of  wch.  exceeded  any  thing  of  the  kind  I  had  ever 
seen.  May  6. — Viewed  the  town  on  horseback  by  riding  through  most  of 
the  principal  Streets.  Dined  at  Majr.  [Pierce]  Butler's  and  went  to  a  Ball 
in  the  evening  at  the  Governor's  where  there  was  a  select  Company  of 
ladies.  May  7. — Before  break  [fast]  I  visited  the  Orphan  House  at  which 
there  were  one  hundred  &  seven  boys  &  girls — This  appears  to  be  a  chari 
table  institution  and  under  good  management.  May  8. — Went  to  crowded 
Churches  in  the  morning  and  afternoon.  .  .  .  Dined  with  General  Moul 
tree  " — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  MAY  9. 

Leaves  Charleston  :  "  May  9. — At  six  o'clock  I  recom 
menced  my  journey  for  Savanna;  attended  by  a  Corps  of 
the  Cincinnati  and  most  of  the  principal  Gentlemen  of  the 
City  as  far  as  the  bridge  over  Ashley  River,  where  wo 
breakfasted,  and  proceeded  to  Col°  W.  Washington's  at 
Sandy-hill  with  a  select  party  of  particular  friends — distant 
from  Charleston  28  miles." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  10. — Took  leave  of  all  my  friends  and  attendants  at  this  place  (ex 
cept  General  Moultree  &  Majr.  Butler  the  last  of  whom  intended  to  accom 
pany  me  to  Savanna  and  the  other  to  Purisburgh,  at  which  I  was  to  be  met 
by  Boats,)  &  breakfasting  at  Judge  Bee's  12  miles  from  Sandy  Hill,  lodged 
at  Mr.  Obrian  Smith's  18  or  20  further  on.  May  11. — After  an  early  break 
fast  at  Mr.  Smith's  we  road  20  miles  to  a  place  called  Pokitellieo  [Pocotaligo] 
where  a  dinner  was  provided  by  the  Parishoners  of  Prince  William  for  my 
reception,  and  an  address  from  them  was  presented  and  answered.  After 
dinner  we  proceeded  16  miles  farther  to  Judge  Hayward's  where  we  lodged." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  12. 

At  Savannah,  Georgia:  '•'•May  12. — By  five  o'clock  we 
set  out  from  Judge  Hayward's,  and  rode  to  Purisburgh  22 


218  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  [1791 

miles  to  breakfast.  At  that  place  I  was  met  by  Messrs. 
[Noble  Wimberly]  Jones,  Col°  [Joseph]  Habersham,  Mr. 
Jno.  Houston,  Genl.  [Lachlin]  Mclntosh  and  Mr.  [Joseph] 
Clay,  a  Comee.  from  the  City  of  Savanna  to  conduct  me 
thither. — Boats  also  were  ordered  there  by  them  for  my 
accommodation ;  among  which  a  handsome  8  oared  barge 
rowed  by  8  American  Captns.  attended. — In  my  way  down 
the  River  I  called  upon  Mrs.  Green  the  Widow  of  the 
deceased  Genl.  [Nathanael]  Green,  (at  a  place  called  Mul 
berry  Grove)  &  asked  her  how  she  did.  .  .  .  We  were 
seven  hours  making  the  passage  which  is  often  performed 
in  4  tho'  the  computed  distance  is  25  miles — Illumns.  at 
night. 

"  I  was  conducted  by  the  Mayor  &  Wardens  to  very  good 
lodging  which  had  been  provided  for  the  occasion,  and  par 
took  of  a  public  dinner  given  by  the  Citizens  at  the  Coffee 
Room. — At  Purisburgh  I  parted  with  Genl.  Moultrec." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  13. — Dined  with  the  Members  of  the  Cincinnati  at  a  public  dinner 
given  at  the  same  place — and  in  the  evening  went  to  a  dancing  Assembly  at 
which  there  was  about  100  well  dressed  and  handsome  ladies.  May  14. — A 
little  after  6  o'clock,  in  Company  with  Genl.  Mclntosh,  Genl.  [Anthony] 
"Wayne,  the  Mayor  and  many  others  (principal  Gentlemen  of  the  City.)  I 
visited  the  City,  and  the  attack  &  defence  of  it  in  the  year  1779,  under  the 
combined  forces  of  France  and  the  United  States,  commanded  by  the  Count 
de  Estaing  &  Genl.  Lincoln.  .  .  .  Dined  to  day  with  a  number  of  the  Citi 
zens  (not  less  than  200)  in  an  elegant  Bower  erected  for  the  occasion  on  the 
Bank  of  the  River  below  the  Town.— In  the  evening  there  was  a  tolerable 
good  display  of  fireworks." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MAY  15. 

Leaves  Savannah :  "  May  15. — After  morning  Service, 
and  receiving  a  number  of  visits  from  the  most  respectable 
ladies  of  the  place  (as  was  the  case  yesterday)  I  set  out  for 
Augusta,  Escorted  beyd.  the  limits  of  the  City  by  most  of 
the  Gentlemen  in  it,  and  dining  at  Mulberry  Grove  the 
Seat  of  Mrs.  Green, — lodged  at  one  Spencers — distant  15 
miles." —  Washington's  Diary. 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  219 

"May  16. — Breakfasted  at  Russells — 15  miles  from  Spencer's— dined  at 
Garnets  19  further  &  lodged  at  Pierces  8  miles  more,  in  all — 42  miles  to  day. 
May  17. — Breakfasted  at  Spinner's  17  miles — dined  at  Lamberts  13 — and 
lodged  at  Waynesborough  (web.,  was  coming  6  miles  out  of  tbe  way)  14,  in 
all  43  miles." — Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  18. 

At  Augusta,  Georgia:  "May~L8. — Breakfasted  at  Tulcher's 
15  miles  from  Waynesborough ;  and  within  4  miles  of  Au 
gusta  met  the  Govor.  [Edward  Telfair],  Judge  [George] 
Walton,  the  Attorney  Genl.  &  most  of  the  principal  Gentle 
men  of  the  place  ;  by  whom  I  was  escorted  into  the  Town, 
&  reed,  under  a  discharge  of  Artillery, — the  distance  I  came 
to  day  was  about  32  miles — Dined  with  a  large  Company  at 
the  Governors,  &  drank  Tea  there  with  many  well  dressed 
Ladies." — Washington's  Diary. 

"May  19. — Received  &  answered  an  Address  from  the  Citizens  of  Au 
gusta  ;  dined  with  a  large  Company  of  them  at  their  Court  Ho.  — and  went 
to  an  Assembly  in  the  evening  at  the  Accadamy ;  at  which  there  were  be 
tween  60  &  70  well  dressed  ladies.  May  20. — Viewed  the  Ruins,  or  rather 
small  Remns.  of  the  Works  which  had  been  erected  by  the  British  during 
the  War  and  taken  by  the  Americans. — Also  the  falls,  which  are  about  2 
miles  above  the  Town  ; — and  the  Town  itself.  .  .  .  Dined  at  a  private  din 
ner  with  Govr.  Telfair  to  day.  May  21. — Left  Augusta  about  6  o'clock, 
and  takg.  leave  of  the  Governor  &  principal  Gentlemen  of  the  place  at  the 
bridge  over  Savanna  River,  where  they  had  assembled  for  the  purpose,  I 
proceeded  in  Company  with  Col08  [Wade]  Hampton  &  Taylor,  &  Mr.  Lith- 
gow  a  committee  from  Columbia,  (who  had  come  on  to  meet  &  conduct  me 
to  that  place)  &  a  Mr.  Jameson  from  the  Village  of  Granby  on  my  Rout. 
Dined  at  a  house  about  20  miles  from  Augusta  and  lodged  at  one  Odem  about 

20  miles  farther." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MAY  22. 

At  Columbia,  South  Carolina :  "  May  22. — Rode  about 

21  miles  to  breakfast,  and  passing  through  the  village  of 
Granby  just  below  the  first  falls  in  the  Congaree  (which 
was  passed  in  a  flat   bottomed  boat  at  a  Rope   ferry,)  I 
lodged  at  Columbia,  the  newly  adopted  Seat  of  the  Gov 
ernment  of  South  Carolina  about  3  miles  from  it,  on  the 


220  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

No.  side  of  the  River,  and  27  from  my  breakfasting  stage." 

—  Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  23. — Dined  at  a  public  dinner  in  the  State  house  with  a  number  of 
Gentlemen  &  Ladies  of  the  Town  of  Columbia,  &  Country  round  about  to 
the  amt.  of  more  than  150,  of  which  50  or  60  were  of  the  latter.  May  24. — 
The  condition  of  my  foundered  horse  obliged  rne  to  remain  at  this  place,  con 
trary  to  my  intention,  this  day  also." — Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  25. 

At  Camden,  South  Carolina :  "  May  25. — Set  out  at  4 
o'clock  for  Camden — (the  foundered  horse  being  led  slowly 
on) — breakfasted  at  an  indifferent  house  22  miles  from  the 
town,  (the  first  we  came  to)  and  reached  Camden  about  two 
o'clock,  14  miles  further,  when  an  address  was  reed.  & 
answered. — Dined  late  with  a  number  of  Gentlemen  & 
Ladies  at  a  public  dinner." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  26. — After  viewing  the  british  works  about  Camden  I  set  out  for 
Charlotte — on  my  way — two  miles  from  Town — I  examined  the  ground  on 
wch.  Genl.  Green  &  Lord  Eawdon  had  their  action  [Hobkirk's  Hill,  April 
25,  1781].  .  .  .  Six  miles  further  on  I  came  to  the  ground  where  Genl. 
Gates  &  Lord  Cornwallis  hud  their  Engagement  [August  16,  1780]  wch. 
terminated  so  unfavourably  for  the  former.  .  .  .  After  Halting  at  one  Sut- 
ton's  14  m.  from  Camden  I  lodged  at  James  Ingrams  12  miles  father.  May 
27. — Left  Ingrams  about  4  o'clock,  and  breakfasting  at  one  Barr's  18  miles 
distant  lodged  at  Majr.  Crawford's  8  miles  farther." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATUKDAY,  MAY  28. 

At  Charlotte,  North  Carolina :  "  May  28.— Set  off  from 
Crawford's  by  4  o'clock  and  breakfasting  at  one  Harrison's 
18  miles  from  it  got  into  Charlotte  13  miles  further,  before 
3  o'clock, — dined  with  Genl.  [Thomas]  Polk  and  a  small 
party  invited  by  him,  at  a  Table  prepared  for  the  purpose." 

—  Washington's  Diary. 

"  May  29. — Left  Charlotte  about  7  o'clock,  dined  at  Col°  Smiths  15  miles 
off,  and  lodged  at  Majr.  Fifers  [Phifer]  7  miles  farther." — Washington's 
Diary. 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  221 

MONDAY,  MAY  30. 

At  Salisbury,  North  Carolina :  "  May  30. — At  4  o'clock 
I  was  out  from  Majr.  Fifers  ;  and  in  about  10  miles  at  the 
line  which  divides  Mecklenburgh  from  Rowan  Counties ;  I 
met  a  party  of  horse  belonging  to  the  latter  who  came  from 
Salisbury  to  escort  me  on.  ...  I  was  also  met  5  miles  from 
Salisbury  by  the  Mayor  of  the  Corporation,  Judge  McKoy, 
&  many  others.  .  .  .  We  arrived  at  Salisbury  about  8  o'clock, 
to  breakfast, — 20  miles  from  Captn.  Fifers.  .  .  .  Dined  at  a 
public  dinner  givn.  by  the  Citizens  of  Salisbury ;  &  in  the 
afternoon  drank  Tea  at  the  same  place  with  about  20  ladies, 
who  had  been  assembled  for  the  occasion." — Washington's 
Diary. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  31. 

At  Salem,  North  Carolina:  "May  31 — Left  Salisbury 
about  4  o'clock ;  at  5  miles  crossed  the  Yadkin,  the  princi 
pal  stream  of  the  Pedee,  and  breakfasted  on  the  No.  Bank, 
(while  my  Carriages  &  horses  were  crossing)  at  a  Mr. 
Youngs'  fed  my  horses  10  miles  farther  at  one  Reeds — and 
about  3  o'clock  (after  another  halt)  arrived  at  Salem,  one 
of  the  Moravian  towns  20  miles  farther — In  all  35  from 
Salisbury.  .  .  .  Salem  is  a  small  but  neat  village ;  &  like  all 
the  rest  of  the  Moravian  settlements,  is  governed  by  an  ex 
cellent  police — having  within  itself  all  kinds  of  artizans — 
The  number  of  Souls  does  not  exceed  200." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

"June  1. — Spent  the  forenoon  in  visiting  the  Shops  of  the  different 
Tradesmen — The  houses  of  accomodation  for  the  single  men  &  Sisters  of 
the  Fraternity — &  their  place  of  worship. — Invited  six  of  their  principal 
people  to  dine  with  me — and  in  the  evening  went  to  hear  them  sing,  &  per 
form  on  a  variety  of  instruments  Church  music.  In  the  Afternoon  Gover 
nor  [Alexander]  Martin  as  was  expected  (with  his  Secretary)  arrived." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  JUNE  2. 

At  Guilford,  North  Carolina :  "  June  2. — In  company 
with  the  Govr  I  set  out  by  4  Oclock  for  Guilford. — Break- 


222  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

fasted  at  one  Dobsons  at  the  distance  of  eleven  Miles  from 
Salem  and  dined  at  Guilford  16  miles  farther ;  where  there 
was  a  considerable  gathering  of  people  who  had  receiv'd 
Notice  of  my  intention  to  be  there  to-day  &  came  to  satisfy 
their  curiosity.  .  .  .  On  my  approach  to  this  place  (Guilford) 
I  was  met  by  a  party  of  light  horse  which  I  prevailed  on  the 
Governor  to  dismiss,  and  to  countermand  his  orders  for  others 
to  attend  me  through  the  State." —  Washington's  Diary. 


"  June  3. — Took  my  leave  of  the  Govern1  whose  intention  was  to  have 
attend  me  to  the  line,  but  for  my  request  that  he  would  not ;  and  about  4 
Oclock  proceeded  on  my  journey. — Breakfasted  at  troublesome  Ironworks 
(called  15,  but  which  is  at  least)  17  Miles  from  Guilford  partly  in  Rain  and 
from  my  information  or  for  want  of  it  was  obliged  to  travel  12  miles  further 
than  I  intended  to  day — to  one  Gate  woods  within  two  Miles  of  Dix'  ferry 
over  the  Dan,  at  least  30  Miles  from  the  Iron  works.  June  4. — Left  Mr 
Gatewoods  about  half  after  Six  oclock — and  between  his  house  &  the  Ferry 
passed  the  line  which  divides  the  States  of  Virginia  and  N°  Carolina  & 
dining  at  one  Wisoms  16  Miles  from  the  Ferry  lodged  at  llullifax  old  Town. 
June  5. — Left  the  old  Town  about  4  oclock  A.  M.  &  breakfasting  at  one 
Pridie's  (after  crossing  Banister  River  1£  Miles)  abl  11  Miles  from  it,  came 
to  Staunton  River  about  12;  where  meeting  Col°  Isaac  Coles  (formerly  a 
Member  of  Congress  for  this  district  &)  who  pressing  me  to  it,  I  went  to  his 
house  about  one  Mile  off  to  dine  and  to  halt  a  day,  for  the  Refreshment  of 
myself  and  horses  ;  leaving  my  Servants  and  them  at  one  of  the  usually  in 
different  Taverns  at  the  Ferry  that  they  might  give  no  trouble,  or  be  incon 
venient  to  a  private  family.  June  6. — Dined  at  this  Gentlemans  to  day  also. 
June  7. — Left  Col°  Coles  by  day  break,  and  breakfasted  at  Charlotte  C*  H° 
15  Miles  where  I  was  detained  some  time  to  get  Shoes  put  on  such  horses  as 
had  lost  them — proceeded  afterwards  to  Prince  Edward  Court  House  20  Miles 
further.  June  8. — Left  Prince  Edward  Court  H°  as  soon  as  it  was  well  light 
&  breakfasted  at  one  Treadways  13  Miles  off, — dined  at  Cumberland  Cl  H° 
14  Miles  further — and  lodged  at  Moores  Tavern  within  2  miles  from  Carter's 
ferry  over  James  River.  June  9. — Set  off  very  early  from  Moores — but  the 
proper  ferry  boat  being  hauled  up  we  were  a  tedious  while  crossing  in  one  of 
the  Boats  used  in  the  navigation  of  the  River ;  being  obliged  to  carry  one 
carriage  at  a  time  without  horses  &  crossways  the  Boat  on  planks. — Break 
fasted  at  a  Widow  pains  17  Miles  on  the  Ne  side  of  the  River,  and  lodged  at 
a  Mrs  Jordans  a  private  house  where  we  were  kindly  entertained  and  to  which 
we  were  driven  by  necessity  having  Rode  not  less  than  25  miles  from  our 
breakfasting  stage  through  very  bad  Roads  in  a  very  sultry  day  with1  any  re 
freshment  &  by  missing  the  right  Road  had  got  to  it." — Washington's  Diary. 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  223 

FKIDAY,  JUNE  10. 

At  Fredericksburg,  Virginia :  "  June  10. — Left  Mr§  Jor- 
dans  early  &  breakfasting  at  one  Johnston's  7  miles  oft' 
reached  Frederieksburgh  after  another  (short)  halt  about  3 
oclock  &  dined  and  lodged  at  my  Sister  Lewis's." —  Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

"  June  11. — After  a  dinner  with  several  Gentlemen  whom  my  Sister  had 
envited  to  dine  with  me  I  crossed  the  Rappahannock  &  proceeded  to  Stafford 
O  House  where  I  lodged.  June  12. — About  Sunrise  we  v/ere  off -break 
fasted  at  Dumfries  and  arrived  at  M'  Vn  to  Dine." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  13. 

At  Mount  Yernon :  "  From  Monday  13th  until  Monday 
the  27th  (being  the  day  I  had  appointed  to  meet  the  Com 
missioners  under  the  Residence  Act,  at  Georgetown)  I  re 
mained  at  home ;  and  spent  my  time  in  daily  Rides  to  my 
sever1  farms — and  in  receiving  many  visits." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

"  June  27. — Left  Mount  Vernon  for  Georgetown  before  Six  o'clock  ; — and 
according  to  appointment  met  the  Commissioners  at  that  place  by  9 — then 
calling  together  the  Proprietors  of  those  Lands  on  which  the  federal  City 
was  proposed  to  be  built  who  had  agreed  to  cede  them  on  certain  conditions 
at  the  last  meeting  I  had  with  them  at  this  place  but  from  some  misconcep 
tion  with  respect  to  the  extension  of  their  grants  had  refused  to  make  con 
veyances  and  recapitulating  the  principles  upon  which  rny  comnB  to  them  at 
the  former  meeting  were  made  and  giving  some  explanations  of  the  present 
State  of  matters  &  the  consequences  of  delay  in  this  business  they  readily 
waved  their  objections  &  agd  to  convey  to  the  utmost  extent  of  what  was 
required.  June  28. — Whilst  the  Commissioners  were  engaged  in  preparing 
the  Deeds  to  be  signed  by  the  Subscribers  this  afternoon,  I  went  out  with 
Maj™  L'Enfant  and  Ellicot  to  take  a  more  perfect  view  of  the  ground,  in 
order  to  decide  finally  on  the  Spots  on  which  to  place  the  public,  buildings — - 
and  to  direct  how  a  line  which  was  to  leave  out  a  Spring  (commonly  known 
by  the  name  of  the  Cool  .Spring)  belonging  to  Majr  Stoddart  should  be  run. 
June  29. — The  Deeds  which  remained  unexecuted  yesterday  were  signed  to 
day  and  the  Dowers  of  their  respective  wives  acknowledged  according  to 
Law.  This  being  accomplished,  I  called  the  Several  Subscribers  together 
and  made  known  to  them  the  spots  on  which  I  meant  to  place  the  buildings 
for  the  P :  &  Executive  departments  of  the  Government — and  for  the  Legis- 


224  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  [1791 

lature  of  D° — A  Plan  was  also  laid  before  them  of  the  City  in  order  to  convey 
to  them  general  ideas  of  the  City — but  they  were  told  that  some  deviations 
from  it  would  take  place — particularly  in  the  diagonal  Streets  or  avenues, 
which  would  not  be  so  numerous ;  and  in  the  removal  of  the  Presidents 
house  more  westerly  for  the  advantage  of  higher  ground— they  were  also 
told  that  a  Town  house,  or  exchange  wd  be  placed  on  some  convenient 
ground  between  the  spots  designed  for  the  public  builds8  before  mentioned. — 
And  it  was  with  much  pleasure  that  a  general  approbation  of  the  measure 
seemed  to  pervade  the  whole." — Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  JUNE  30. 

At  Frederick  Town,  Maryland  :  "  June  30. — The  business 
which  bro*  me  to  Georgetown  being  finished  &  the  Com" 
instructed  with  respect  to  the  mode  of  carrying  the  plan 
into  effect  I  set  off  this  morning  a  little  after  4  oclock  in 
the  prosecution  of  my  journey  towards  Philadelphia;  and 
being  desirous  of  seeing  the  nature  of  the  Country  North 
of  Georgetown,  and  along  the  upper  Eoad,  I  resolved  to 
pass  through  Fredericktown  in  Maryland — &  York  &  Lan 
caster  in  Pennsylvania  &  accordingly — Breakfasted  at  a 
small  Village  called  Williamsburgh  in  which  stands  the  C* 
House  of  Montgomerie  County  14  M  from  George  Town — 
dined  at  one  Peter's  tavern  20  Miles  further — and  arrived 
at  Frederick  town  about  sundown — the  whole  distance  43 
miles." — Washington's  Diary. 

"Frederick-Town  July  5. — On  Thursday  evening  last  [June  30],  at 
twenty-five  minutes  past  seven  o'clock,  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
accompanied  by  his  secretary  Major  Jackson,  arrived  in  this  town  from 
Mount  Vernon,  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia. — So  sudden  and  unexpected 
was  the  visit  of  this  amiable  and  illustrious  character,  as  to  leave  it  entirely 
out  of  the  power  of  the  citizens  to  make  the  necessary  preparations  for  his 
reception. — On  notice  being  given  of  his  arrival,  the  bells  of  the  Lutheran 
and  Calvinist  churches  were  rung — fifteen  rounds  from  Cannon-Hill  were 
discharged — and  a  band  of  music  serenaded  him  in  the  evening.  He  was 
politely  invited  to  spend  the  succeeding  day  in  town  ;  but  answered  (as  an 
apology  for  not  accepting  the  invitation),  that  public  business  obliged  him 
to  hasten  to  Philadelphia.  The  next  morning,  at  ten  o'clock,  he  proceeded 
on  his  journey,  escorted  by  several  gentlemen,  over  the  Monocosy,  on  his 
route  to  York.  Previous  to  his  departure,  an  address,  drawn  in  great  haste, 
was  presented  to  him  :  to  which  he  was  pleased  to  return  an  answer ;  exhib- 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  225 

iting  as  usual,  fresh  proofs  of  his  greatness  and  goodness." — Claypoole's  Daily 
Advertiser,  July  9. 

FRIDAY,  JULY  1. 

At  Taneytown,  Maryland :  "  July  1. — Received  an  ad 
dress  from  the  Inhabitants  of  Frederick  town  and  about  7 
o'clock  left  it — dined  at  one  Cookerlys  13  miles  oft'  & 
lodged  at  Tawny  town  only  12  Miles  farther — being  de 
tained  at  the  first  stage  by  Rain  and  to  answer  the  address 
\vch  had  been  presented  to  me  in  the  Morning.  Tawny 
town  is  but  a  small  place  with  only  the  Street  through  wch 
the  Road  passes,  built  on — the  buildings  are  principally  of 
wood." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  JULY  2. 

At  Yorktown,  Pennsylvania  :  "  July  2. — Set  out  a  little 
after  4  o'clock  and  in  abl  6  Miles  crossed  the  line  wch 
divides  the  States  of  Maryland  &  Pennsylvania — the  Trees 
in  woh  are  so  grown  up  th'  I  could  not  perceive  the  opening 
though  I  kept  a  lookout  for  it. — 9  Miles  from  Tawny  town, 
Littletown  is  past,  they  are  of  similar  appe  but  ye  latter  is 
more  insignificant  than  the  former. — Seven  Miles  farther 
we  came  to  Hanover  (commonly  called  McAlister's  town)  a 
very  pretty  village  with  a  number  of  good  brick  Houses  & 
Mechanics  in  it.  At  this  place,  in  a  good  Inn,  we  break 
fasted — and  in  18  Miles  more  reached  York  Town  where 
we  dined  and  lodged.  .  .  .  After  dinner  in  company  with 
Col°  [Thomas]  Hartley  &  other  Gentlemen  I  walked  through 
the  principal  Streets  of  the  Town  and  drank  Tea  at  Col. 
Hartleys. — The  C*  H°  was  illuminated."* — Washington's 
Diary. 

*"  Saturday  last  [July  2]  the  President  of  the  United  States  arrived 
here  [Yorktown]  from  Mount  Vernon  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia.  His 
iirrival  which  was  ahout  2  o'clock  was  announced  by  the  ringing  of  bells. 
The  Independent  Light  Infantry,  commanded  by  Capt.  George  Hay, 
paraded,  and  being  drawn  up  before  his  Excellency's  lodging  fired  fifteen 

15 


226  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

"  On  the  2nd.  of  July,  1791,  in  the  afternoon,  at  2  o'clk  came  the  Hon 
orable  President  Washington  to  York  town  ;  all  the  bells  of  the  town  rang 
in  honor  of  the  event  as  if  the  voices  of  the  Archangels  sounding  in  harmony 
commanded  attention.  I  could  not  repress  my  tears  at  the  thought  of  all 
this,  indeed  I  cried  aloud,  not  from  a  sense  of  sadness,  but  from  a  feeling  of 
very  joyfulness.  In  the  evening,  there  was  a  general  illumination,  and  in 
the  Court  House  in  each  pane  was  set  a  light." — REV.  JOHN  ROTH.  Diary 
of  the  Moravian  Congregation  of  Yorktown,  Pennsylvania,  MS. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  3. 

At  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania :  "  July  3. — Received  and 
answered  an  address  from  the  Inhabitants  of  Yorktown — 
&  there  being  no  Episcopal  Minister  present  in  the  place,  I 
went  to  hear  morning  Service  performed  in  the  Dutch  re 
formed  Church — which,  being  in  that  language  not  a  word 
of  which  I  understood  I  was  in  no  danger  of  becoming  a 
proselyte  to  its  religion  by  the  eloquence  of  the  Preacher. — 

"  After  Service,  accompanied  by  Col°  Hartley  &  half  a 
dozen  other  Gentlemen,  I  set  off  for  Lancaster — Dined  at 
Wrights  Ferry  [Columbia]  where  I  was  met  by  Gen1  [Ed 
ward]  Hand  &  many  of  the  principal  characters  of  Lancas 
ter  &  escorted  to  the  town  by  them,  arriving  ab'  6  o'clock." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

"  Lancaster,  July  3. — This  evening  at  6  o'clock,  arrived  here,  on  his  re 
turn  from  his  Southern  Tour,  his  Excellency  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  accompanied  by  Major  Jackson.  He  was  escorted  from  Wright's 
Ferry  by  a  respectable  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  borough." — Clay- 
poole's  Daily  Advertiser,  July  12. 

MONDAY,  JULY  4. 

At  Lancaster :  "  July  4. — This  being  the  Anniversary  of 
American  Independence  and  being  kindly  requested  to  do 
it,  I  agreed  to  halt  here  this  day  and  partake  of  the  enter 
tainment  which  was  preparing  for  the  celebration  of  it. — In 

rounds.  At  night  there  were  illuminations  and  every  other  demonstration 
of  joy. " — The  Pennsylvania  Herald  and  York  General  Advertiser,  July  6, 
1791. 


1791]          WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  227 

the  forenoon  I  walked  about  the  town — At  half  passed  2 
oclock  I  received,  and  answered  an  address  from  the  Cor 
poration  and  the  Complim*8  of  the  Clergy  of  different  de 
nominations — dined  between  3  &  4  oclock — drank  Tea  with 
M™  Hand." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  July  12. — On  Monday,  July  4,  being  the  Anniversary  of  American 
Independence,  the  Corporation  [of  Lancaster],  at  the  particular  request  of 
the  inhabitants,  waited  on  him  [the  President]  with  an  address  :  At  three 
o'clock  the  President,  and  a  very  large  number  of  citizens,  set  down  to  an 
elegant  entertainment,  provided  for  the  occasion,  in  the  court-house." — 
Claypoole's  Daily  Advertiser. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  6. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  July  7. — Yesterday  the  President  of 
the  United  States  arrived  in  this  city,  on  his  return  from 
his  southern  tour.  His  approach  was  announced  to  the 
citizens,  by  the  firing  of  cannon  and  the  ringing  of  bells." 
— Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  20. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  yesterday  had  Mr.  Jaudenes,*  who 
was  in  this  country  with  Mr.  Gardoqui,  and  is  now  come 
over  in  a  public  character,  presented  to  me  for  the  first 
time  by  Mr.  JeiFerson.  Colonel  Ternant  is  expected  here 
every  day  as  minister  from  France." — Washington  to  David 
Humphreys. 

Colonel  Humphreys  was  at  this  time  in  Lisbon,  having  been  appointed 
minister  to  Portugal  on  February  21.  At  the  time  of  the  appointment  he 
was  in  London,  having  left  the  United  States  in  August,  1790.  Mr.  Hum 
phreys  revisited  this  country  in  1794,  returned  the  following  year,  and  soon 
afterward  married  Miss  Bulkly,  an  English  woman  of  fortune.  He  was 
transferred  (May  20,  1796)  from  Lisbon  to  the  court  of  Madrid,  where  he 
remained  until  succeeded  by  Charles  Pinckney  in  1802. 

*  Don  Joseph  De  Jaudennes  was  associated  with  Don  Joseph  De  Viar,  the 
Spanish  minister,  in  the  management  of  Spanish  interests  in  the  United 
States.  He  subsequently  acted  as  commissioner  and  envoy  from  Spain. 


228  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  9. 

At  Philadelphia:  UA  slight  indisposition,  since  my  re 
turn,  (occasioned  by  a  tumor,  not  much  unlike  the  one  I 
had  at  ISTew  York  in  1789),  of  which  I  am  now  recovered, 
does  not  forbid  the  expectation,  that  my  health  may  be 
ultimately  improved  by  my  tour  through  the  southern 
States." —  Washington  to  William  Moultrie. 

THURSDAY,  AUGUST  18. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  August  20. — Thursday  [August  18], 
the  French  and  Spanish  Ambassadors,  together  with  sev 
eral  other  distinguished  personages  dined  with  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  and  in  the  evening  there  was 
a  small  display  of  fire  works  exhibited  nearly  opposite 
the  President's  house,  given  by  a  few  citizens  in  compli 
ment  to  the  Company." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Adver- 
tiser. 

"  August  10. — Yesterday  arrived  in  this  city  Mons.  DE  TERNANT,  Minis 
ter  Plenipotentiary  from  his  Most  Christian  Majesty  to  the  United  States  of 
America,  after  a  passage  of  45  days  from  Kochefort,  on  board  the  frigate  La 
Favorite.  In  his  suite  came  Messieurs  Dupont  and  Kellerman."  * — Idem. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  5. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  September  5. — This  afternoon  went  to 
the  President's  house  on  Market  Street  and  there  dined 
with  him  and  his  lady,  and  four  members  of  his  family, 
besides  the  following  members  of  the  [Pennsylvania]  House 
[of  Representatives]  :  Hon.  William  Bingham,  Speaker, 
Messrs.  [Richard]  Wells,  [Francis]  Gurney,  [Lawrence] 
Seckel  from  the  city;  [William]  Macpherson,  [Thomas] 
Lilly,  [Philip]  Gardner,  [Henry]  Tyson,  [Joseph]  Reed, 


*  Jean  Baptiste  Ternant  served  as  major  in  the  Revolutionary  War  under 
Baron  Steuben  (whom  he  accompanied  to  this  country)  until  September  25, 
1778,  when  he  was  made  lieutenant-colonel  and  inspector  of  the  armies  in 
Georgia  and  South  Carolina.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Charleston  in  1780, 
but  was  soon  exchanged,  and  returned  to  France  after  the  conclusion  of 
peace. 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  229 

[David]  Stewart,  [Jonathan]  Hoge,  [John]  Montgomery, 
[Samuel]  Maelay,  [John]  White,  [William]  Findlay,  [John] 
Baircl,  [Jacob]  Eyerly,  [Anthony]  Lerch,  [John]  Mulhol- 
lan,  [Adamson]  Tannehill,  and  Peter  Lloyd,  our  clerk.  I 
cannot  help  remarking  that  President  Washington  is  an 
unassuming,  easy  and  sociable  man,  beloved  by  every  per 
son." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

THUKSDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  15. 

Leaves  Philadelphia :  "  September  19. — Thursday  after 
noon  [September  15],  the  PRESIDENT  left  this  city  on  a  tour 
to  Mount  Vernon." — Claypoole's  Daily  Advertiser. 

The  Viscount  de  Chateaubriand,  who  dined  with  the  President  the  day 
before  his  departure  for  Mount  Vernon,  after  describing  in  his  «  Travels  in 
America  and  Italy,"  published  in  1828,  his  first  interview  *  with  Washing 
ton,  refers  to  the  dinner  in  the  following  words  :  "  The  conversation  turned 
almost  entirely  on  the  French  ^revolution.  The  general  showed  us  a  key  of 
the  Bastille  :  those  keys  of  the  Bastille  were  but  silly  playthings  which  were 
about  that  time  distributed  over  the  two  worlds.  Had  "Washington  seen 
like  me  the  conquerors  of  the  Bastille  in  the  kennels  of  Paris,  he  would  have 
had  less  faith  in  the  relic.  The  gravity  and  the  energy  of  the  revolution 
were  not  in  those  sanguinary  orgies.  At  the  time  of  the  rev'ocation  of  the 
edict  of  Nantes,  in  1685,  the  same  populace  of  the  Faubourg  Saint-Antoine 
demolished  the  Protestant  church  at  Charenton  with  as  much  zeal  as  it 
despoiled  the  church  of  St  Denis  in  1793. 

"  I  left  my  host  at  ten  in  the  evening,  and  never  saw  him  again  :  he  set 
out  for  the  country  the  following  day,  and  I  continued  my  journey. 

"Such  was  my  interview  with  that  man  who  gave  liberty  to  a  whole 
world.  Washington  sunk  into  the  tomb  before  any  little  celebrity  had  at 
tached  to  my  name.  I  passed  before  him  as  the  most  unknown  of  beings  ; 
he  was  in  all  his  glory,  I  in  the  depth  of  my  obscurity,  my  name  probably 
dwelt  not  a  whole  day  in  his  memory.  Happy,  however,  that  his  looks  were 
cast  upon  me  !  I  have  felt  myself  warmed  for  it  all  the  rest  of  my  life. 
There  is  a  virtue  in  the  looks  of  a  great  man." 

*  At  this  interview,  upon  perceiving  the  astonishment  of  the  President 
when  he  stated  that  the  object  of  his  voyage  was  to  discover  the  passage  to 
the  northwest  by  penetrating  to  the  polar  sea,  Chateaubriand  said,  "  But 
it  is  less  difficult  to  discover  the  northwest  passage  than  to  create  a  nation  as 
you  have  done." 


230  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  19. 

At  George  Town:  "  George- Town,  September  24. — MON 
DAY  evening  last  [September  19]  the  PRESIDENT  of 
the  United  States,  his  Lady,  and  Suite,  arrived  in  this  town 
from  the  Seat  of  Government,  and  on  Tuesday  took  their 
departure  for  Mount  Vernon." — Claypoole's  Daily  Adver 
tiser,  September  30. 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  15. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  From  long  experience  I  have  laid 
it  down  as  an  unerring  maxim,  that  to  exact  rents  with 
punctuality  is  not  only  the  right  of  the  landlord,  but  that  it 
is  also  for  the  benefit  of  the  tenant  that  it  should  be  so, 
unless  by  uncontrollable  events  and  providential  strokes 
the  latter  is  rendered  unable  to  pay  them." — Washington  to 
Robert  Lewis. 

FRIDAY,  OCTOBER  21. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  October  22.— The  President  of  the 
United  States  arrived  in  town  yesterday,  from  Mount 
Vernon." — Claypoole's  Daily  Advertiser. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  25. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  October  25. — At  noon  President  Wash 
ington  went  to  the  Congress  at  the  corner  of  Chestnut  and 
Sixth  Streets,  and  delivered  his  address  [in  the  Senate 
Chamber] — yesterday  being  the  first  day  of  meeting  of  the 
Second  Congress." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  29. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  October  29.— The  Speaker  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  [Jonathan  Trumbull]  attended  by  the 
Members  repaired  to  the  President's  house,  and  presented 
him  with  an  answer  to  his  address." — Dunlap's  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 


1791]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  231 

"November  1. — Yesterday  [Monday,  October  31]  at  twelve  o'clock,  the 
Vice-President  attended  by  the  Senate,  repaired  to  the  President's  House, 
and  presented  him  with  an  answer  to  his  address." — Idem. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  11. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  November  15. — On  Friday  last  [No 
vember  11]  Mr.  Hammond  was  introduced  to  the  President, 
by  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  presented  his  credentials  as 
his  Britannic  Majesty's  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  the 
United  States." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

George  Hammond  was  the  first  minister  from  Great  Britain  to  the  United 
States.  He  married  (May  20,  1793)  Margaret  Allen,  daughter  of  Andrew 
Allen,  of  Philadelphia,  a  girl  of  remarkable  beauty.  Mr.  Hammond  re 
mained  in  this  country  until  1795,  when  he  returned  to  England  to  become 
under-secretary  at  the  foreign  office  in  London. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  8. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  This  afternoon  accounts  received, 
which  are  believed,  that  General  St.  Glair's  army  has  been 
defeated  by  the  Indians.  The  action  happened  November 
4th,  within  fifteen  miles  of  the  Miami  towns.  Six  hundred 
of  our  men  killed  and  wounded.  General  [Richard]  Butler 
and  many  officers  among  the  slain." — Timothy  Pickering  to 
Mrs.  Pickering. 

When  the  President  received  the  news  of  the  surprise  and  defeat  of 
General  St.  Clair,  it  is  said,  on  the  authority  of  Colonel  Lear,*  who  was 
present,  that  for  a  few  moments  he  lost  all  control  of  himself,  and  with 
great  violence  of  manner  vehemently  denounced  the  action  of  St.  Clair  in 
allowing  himself  to  be  surprised, — an  event  which  he  had  been  expressly 
cautioned  against.  The  paroxysm  of  passion,  however,  lasted  but  a  short 
time,  when  he  regained  his  habitual  composure. 

FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  30. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  January  3,  1792. — On  Friday  morn 
ing  [December  30, 1791]  was  presented  to  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  a  BOX  elegantly  mounted  with  silver, 

*  "Washington  in  Domestic  Life,"  by  Richard  Rush,  p.  65. 


232  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1791 

and  made  of  the  celebrated  oak  tree  that  sheltered  the 
WASHINGTON  of  Scotland,  the  brave  and  patriotic  Sir 
William  Wallace,  after  his  defeat  at  the  battle  of  Falkirk, 
in  the  beginning  of  the  fourteenth  century,  by  Edward  the 
1st.  This  magnificent  and  truly  characteristic  present  is 
from  the  Earl  of  Buchan,  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  Archibald 
Robertson,  a  Scotch  gentleman,  and  portrait  painter  who 
arrived  in  America  some  months  ago." — Claypoole's  Daily 
Advertiser. 

At  the  request  of  the  Earl  of  Buchan,  Washington  sat  to  Mr.  Kobertson 
for  his  portrait,  to  be  placed  among  those  most  honored  by  the  earl.  The 
portrait  obtained  at  these  sittings  was  taken  in  miniature ;  it  was  retained 
by  the  artist,  and  a  large  painting  executed  from  it  was  sent  to  the  earl  in 
May,  1792. 

A  family  dinner  to  which  Mr.  Robertson  was  invited  is  thus  described  by 
him  :  "  The  dinner,  served  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  was  plain,  but 
suitable  for  a  family  in  genteel  and  comfortable  circumstances.  There  was 
nothing  specially  remarkable  at  the  table,  but  that  the  General  and  Mrs. 
Washington  sat  side  by  side,  he  on  the  right  of  his  lady ;  the  gentlemen  on 
his  right  hand  and  the  ladies  on  her  left.  It  being  on  Saturday,  the  first 
course  was  mostly  of  eastern  cod  and  fresh  fish.  A  few  glasses  of  wine  were 
drunk  during  dinner,  with  other  beverage ;  the  whole  closed  with  a  few 
glasses  of  sparkling  champagne,  in  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  when 
the  General  and  Colonel  Lear  retired,  leaving  the  ladies  in  high  glee  about 
Lord  Buchan  and  the  '  Wallace  box. ' ' ' 


1792. 


MONDAY,  JANUAKY  2. 

At  Philadelphia :  Receives  and  answers  an  address  from 
the  "  Right  Worshipful  Grand  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  Pennsylvania." 

TUESDAY,  FEBEUARY  21. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  February  24. — On  Tuesday  evening 
the  21st.  inst.  the  city  dancing  assembly,*  gave  a  ball  in 
honor  of  the  birth  day  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States.  They  were  honored  on  this  occasion  with  the 
company  of  the  President  and  Mrs.  Washington,  the  Vice- 
President,  the  foreign  Ministers,  Mr.  Speaker  [Jonathan 
Trumbull]  and  most  of  the  members  of  the  two  houses  of 
Congress,  the  governor  of  the  state  [Thomas  Mifflin],  and 
of  the  Western  Territory  [Arthur  St.  Clair],  together  with 
many  of  the  most  respectable  officers  of  the  United  States 
and  of  this  state ;  and  to  crown  the  whole  with  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  displays  of  beauty  ever  exhibited  in  this 
city." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  23. — Yesterday  both  Houses 
of  Congress  walked  in  Procession  to  wait  on  the  President 
of  the  United  States  to  congratulate  him  on  the  anniversary 
of  his  Birth  Day.  .  .  .  The  officers  of  the  militia  of  the 

*  This  social  organization,  which  dates  back  to  1748,  is  still  in  existence, 
its  members  meeting  twice  during  the  winter  for  the  enjoyment  of  dancing. 
In  the  early  days  the  balls  were  given  every  Thursday  evening  from  Janu 
ary  to  May,  beginning  at  six  and  ending  at  twelve  o'clock.  Now  thev  begin 
at  twelve. 

233 


234  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  [1792 

City,  Liberties  and  Districts  of  Philadelphia  paid  their  re 
spects  in  a  body  and  there  was  also  a  military  parade,  with 
firing  of  guns  and  ringing  of  bells." — Dunlap's  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 

"  February  25. — The  entertainment  given  last  Wednesday  evening  [Feb 
ruary  22],  by  the  New  City  Dancing  Assembly,*  in  honor  of  the  President's 
birth  day,  was  remarkable,  we  hear,  for  a  brilliant  display  of  beauty,  taste 
and  elegance.  The  President  and  a  number  of  officers  of  the  government 
attended. ' ' — Idem. 

"  February  25. — On  Tuesday  and  Wednesday  evenings,  the  21st  and  22d 
instants,  the  two  Dancing  assemblies  gave  each,  successively,  a  Ball,  in 
honor  of  this  anniversary — at  both  of  which  were  present,  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  his  Lady  and  Family — the  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States — the  Heads  of  Departments — the  Foreign  Ministers— the  Speaker, 
and  most  of  the  Members  of  the  two  Houses  of  Congress — the  Governor  of 
the  State — the  Governor  of  the  W  estern  Territory — and  many  other  respect 
able  Officers  of  the  United  States,  and  of  this  Commonwealth— and  to  crown 
all,  there  was  as  brilliant  a  display  of  Beauty  as  was  ever  exhibited  in  this 
city.  Elegant  entertainments  succeeded,  when  a  variety  of  sentimental  and 
patriotic  Toasts  were  given." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

FRIDAY,  MARCH  23. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  March  26.— Friday  last  [March  23] 
the  Indian  Warriors  lately  arrived  in  this  city  [March  15], 
had  an  audience  of  the  President  of  the  United  States." — 
Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

The  Indian  warriors  received  by  the  President  consisted  of  fifty  chiefs 
from  the  Northern  tribes  of  the  Six  Nations, f  among  whom  was  the  cele 
brated  orator  Sa-go-ya-wat-ha  (He  keeps  them  awake),  better  known  as 
Red  Jacket.  In  his  address  to  them  the  President  said,  "  You  have  been 
invited  to  this  place  by  Colonel  Pickering,  at  my  special  request,  in  order 
to  remove  all  causes  of  discontent ;  to  devise  and  adopt  plans  to  promote 
your  welfare,  and  firmly  to  cement  the  peace  between  the  United  States 
and  you,  so  that  in  future  we  shall  consider  ourselves  brethren  indeed.  I 
assure  you  that  I  am  desirous  that  a  firm  peace  should  exist  not  only  be 
tween  the  United  States  and  the  Five  Nations,  but  also  between  the  United 

*  A  distinct  and  separate  association  from  the  one  of  a  similar  character 
referred  to  under  date  of  February  21,  and  probably  of  short  duration, 
t  The  Mohawks,  Oneidas,  Onondagas,  Cayugas,  Senecas,  and  Tuscaroras. 


1792]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  235 

States  and  all  the  Nations  of  this  land — and  that  this  peace  should  be 
founded  upon  the  principles  of  justice  and  humanity,  as  upon  an  immovable 
rock,  that  you  may  partake  of  all  the  comforts  of  this  earth,  which  can  be 
derived  from  civilized  life,  enriched  by  the  possession  of  industry,  virtue 
and  knowledge." 

It  was  during  this  visit  to  Philadelphia  that  the  President  presented  to 
Bed  Jacket  a  large  silver  medal,  on  the  principal  side  of  which  was  engraved 
a  design  representing  Washington  in  uniform  and  standing,  having  just 
given  the  calumet  of  peace  to  an  Indian  chief,  who  is  smoking  it.  The  re 
verse  bore  the  United  States  shield  on  the  breast  of  the  American  eagle  dis 
played,  and  over  his  head  a  glory  breaking  through  a  cloud  and  surrounding 
thirteen  stars.  This  silver  memento,  known  as  the  "  Ked  Jacket  Medal," 
which  is  still  in  existence,  is  interesting  as  being  the  first  presentation  of  the 
kind  on  the  part  of  the  Federal  government  that  we  are  aware  of. 

MONDAY,  APKIL  2. 

At  Philadelphia :  Under  this  date,  Edward  Thornton, 
secretary  to  Mr.  George  Hammond,  the  British  minister, 
in  writing  to  Sir  James  Bland  Burges,  drew  the  following 
character  of  "Washington. 

"Philadelphia,  April  2,  1792. — I  promised  you  in  a  former  letter  a  de 
scription  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  General  "Washington.  Con 
scious  as  I  am  of  the  difficulty  and  danger  of  describing  again  what  has 
been  so  often  described  before,  I  will  yet  attempt  to  convey  to  you  my  idea 
of  him.  His  person  is  tall  and  sufficiently  graceful;  his  face  well-formed, 
his  complexion  rather  pale,  with  a  mild  philosophic  gravity  in  the  expres 
sion  of  it.  In  his  air  and  manner  he  displays  much  natural  dignity;  in  his 
address  he  is  cold,  reserved,  and  even  phlegmatic,  though  without  the  least 
appearance  of  haughtiness  or  ill-nature  ;  it  is  the  effect,  I  imagine,  of  consti 
tutional  diffidence.  That  caution  and  circumspection  which  form  so  striking 
and  well-known  a  feature  in  his  military,  and  indeed  in  his  political  charac 
ter,  is  very  strongly  marked  in  his  countenance,  for  his  eyes  retire  inward 
(do  you  understand  me  ?)  and  have  nothing  of  fire  of  animation  or  openness 
in  their  expression.  If  this  circumspection  is  accompanied  by  discernment 
and  penetration,  as  I  am  informed  it  is,  and  as  I  should  be  inclined  to  be 
lieve  from  the  judicious  choice  he  has  generally  made  of  persons  to  fill  public 
stations,  he  possesses  the  two  great  requisites  of  a  statesman,  the  faculty  of 
concealing  his  own  sentiments  and  of  discovering  those  of  other  men.  A 
certain  degree  of  indecision,  however,  a  want  of  vigour  and  energy,  may  be 
observed  in  some  of  his  actions,  and  are  indeed  the  obvious  result  of  too  re 
fined  caution.  He  is  a  man  of  great  but  secret  ambition,  and  has  sometimes, 
I  think,  condescended  to  use  little  arts,  and  those,  too,  very  shallow  ones,  to 
secure  the  object  of  that  ambition.  He  is,  I  am  told,  indefatigable  in  busi- 


236  WASHINGTON  AFTER   TEE  REVOLUTION.          [1792 

ness,  and  extremely  clear  and  systematic  in  the  arrangement  of  it ;  his  time 
is  regularly  divided  into  certain  portions,  and  the  business  allotted  to  any 
one  portion  rigidly  attended  to.  Of  his  private  character  I  can  say  little 
positive.  I  have  never  heard  of  any  truly  noble,  generous,  or  disinterested 
action  of  his ;  he  has  very  few  who  are  on  terms  of  intimate  and  unreserved 
friendship;  and  what  is  worse  he  is  less  beloved  in  his  own  State  (Virginia) 
than  in  any  part  of  the  United  States.  After  all,  he  is  a  great  man,  circum 
stances  have  made  him  so  ;  but  I  cannot  help  thinking  that  the  misconduct 
of  our  commanders  has  given  him  a  principal  part  of  that  greatness."  * 

SATUKDAY,  MAY  5. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  am  much  pleased  to  hear,  that  the 
picture  by  Colonel  Trumbull  gives  so  much  satisfaction. 
The  merit  of  this  artist  cannot  fail  to  give  much  pleasure 
to  those  of  his  countrymen,  who  possess  a  taste  for  the  fine 
arts ;  and  I  know  of  no  part  of  the  United  States,  where  it 
would  be  put  to  a  stronger  test  than  in  South  Carolina." — 
Washington  to  William  Moultrie. 

"The  picture  by  Colonel  Trumbull,"  referred  to  in  the  above-quoted 
letter,  was  a  full-length  portrait  of  "Washington  in  military  costume,  stand 
ing  by  a  horse,  painted  from  life  at  Philadelphia,  in  1792,  for  the  city  of 
Charleston,  South  Carolina.  The  picture  is  still  owned  by  the  city.  The 
resolution  of  the  City  Council  requesting  the  President  to  sit  to  Colonel 
Trumbull  was  passed  May  7,  1791,  at  the  time  he  was  in  Charleston,  during 
his  southern  tour.  The  resolution  is  as  follows:  "Resolved  unanimously, 
that  his  Honor  the  Intendant  in  behalf  of  the  City  Council  and  their  con 
stituents,  be  desired  to  request  of  George  Washington,  Esquire,  President  of 
the  United  States,  that  he  will  be  pleased,  when  it  is  convenient  to  him,  to 
permit  his  portrait  to  be  taken  by  Colonel  Trumbull,  in  order  that  it  may  be 
placed  in  the  City  Hall,  as  the  most  lasting  testimony  of  their  attachment 
to  his  person,  to  commemorate  his  arrival  in  the  Metropolis  of  this  State, 
and  to  hand  down  to  posterity  the  resemblance  of  the  man  to  whom  they  are 
indebted  for  the  blessings  of  Peace,  Liberty  and  Independence." 

THUKSDAY,  MAY  10. 

Leaves  Philadelphia:  "  May  11. — The  PRESIDENT  of  the 
UNITED  STATES,  yesterday  left  this  city,  on  a  journey  to  the 
Southward." — The  Aurora. 

*  Selections  from  the  "  Letters  and  Correspondence  of  Sir  James  Bland 
Surges,  Bart.,  sometime  Under-Secretary  of  State  for  Foreign  Affairs," 
edited  by  James  Hutton.  London,  1885. 


1792]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  237 

SATURDAY,  MAT  19. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  My  family  now  Howell  *  is  ad 
mitted  into  it,  will  be  more  than  full,  arid  in  truth  than  is 
convenient  for  the  House,  as  Mr.  [Bartholomew]  Dan- 
dridge  f  (a  nephew  of  Mrs.  Washington)  is  already  one  of 
it,  and  but  one  room  for  him,  Howell  and  another  person 
to  sleep  in,  all  the  others  being  appropriated  to  public  or 
private  uses." — Washington  to  Charles  Carter. 

FRIDAY,  JUNE  1. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  June  1. — The  President  of  the  United 
States  has  arrived  in  this  city  from  the  Southward." — Dun- 
lap7  s  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  Since  his  [the  President's]  return  from  Virginia,  prior  to  which  journey 
he  had  desired  me  to  forward  a  packet  for  Sir  Isaac  Heard  j  which  I  ad 
dressed  to  you,  or  to  Mr.  Boyd  for  you,  by  the  ship  George  Barclay,  since 
that  time  I  have  been  honoured  by  an  invitation  to  dine  with  him.  Except 
in  the  honour,  believe  me  there  is  nothing  pleasant  in  the  circumstance,  for 
it  is  of  all  others  the  most  dull  and  unentertaining.  The  President's  reserve, 
the  effect  partly  I  think  of  pride,  partly  of  constitutional  diffidence,  throws 
a  restraint  on  the  whole  party.  The  conversation  was  in  consequence  un 
commonly  phlegmatic  and  trivial,  though  as  the  party  contracted  into  a 
smaller  circle,  the  Secretary  of  State's  strictures  on  monarchs  began  to  throw 
a  certain  portion  of  animation  into  it.  This  gentleman  (Thomas  Jefferson) 
is,  or  affects  to  be,  a  most  rigid  republican  ;  a  warm  admirer  of  Thomas 
Paine,  and  a  vigorous  stickler  for  revolutions  and  for  the  downfall  of  all 
aristocracy.  The  death  of  the  King  of  Sweden  [Gustavus  III.]  made  it 
extremely  probable,  he  said,  that  there  would  be  a  revolution  in  that  country 
during  the  minority  of  his  successor. 

"  The  most  dignified  character  in  this  country  (Washington)  has  a  good 
deal  of  (I  cannot  call  it  republicanism,  for  he  affects  state,  he  loves  to  be 
treated  with  great  respect,  and  (by  the  by)  is  not  a  little  flattered,  I  con 
ceive,  by  the  particular  attention  of  Mr.  Hammond  not  to  visit  him  but  in 

*  Howell  Lewis,  son  of  Washington's  sister  Betty. 

f  Son  of  Judge  Bartholomew  Dandridge,  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Washington. 
lie  died  in  1802,  while  consul  at  San  Domingo. 

J  This  packet,  under  date  of  May  2,  1792,  contained  particulars  respecting 
the  Washington  family  in  Virginia,  for  which  Sir  Isaac  Heard,  Garter 
Principal  King  of  Arms,  had  written  to  the  President.  This  history  of  the 
American  branch  will  be  found  in  Sparks,  vol.  i.  p.  547. 


238  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE   REVOLUTION.          [1792 

full  dress,  but  of)  a  certain  dislike  to  monarchy.  If  Kings  were  Presi 
dents,  or  if  the  President  were  a  King,  I  believe  that  aversion  would  cease. 
At  present  he  cannot  but  conceive  himself  much  inferior  in  dignity  and 
importance  to  any  of  them.  When  he  travels,  it  is  in  a  very  kingly  style ; 
for  on  his  last  journey  he  foundered  five  horses,  and  1  am  informed  that  his 
secretaries  are  not  admitted  into  his  carriage,  but  stand  with  their  horses' 
bridles  in  their  hands  till  he  is  seated,  and  then  mount  and  ride  before  his 
carriage." — Edward  Thornton  to  Sir  James  Bland  Surges,  Bart.,  June  11, 
1792. 

TUESDAY,  JUNE  5. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  June  5. — We  have  authority  to  inform 
the  Public,  that  the  PRESIDENT  of  the  UNITED  STATES 
intends  to  honor  the  Theatre  with  his  Presence  this  Even 
ing/'  * — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"June  8. — We  hear,  that  on  Tuesday  last  [June  5],  the  President  of  the 
United  States  and  his  Lady,  attended  by  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  and  his  Lady,  honoured  Mr.  Pearce  with  a  visit 
to  his  Cotton  Manufactory  [No.  13  Penn  Street]. — The  President  atten 
tively  viewed  the  Machinery  &c.  and  saw  the  business  performed  in  its 
different  branches,  which  met  with  his  warmest  approbation." — Idem. 

THUKSDAY,  JUNE  21. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  In  the  course  of  last  winter,  I  had 
some  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Cherokees  in  this  city,  and  in  the 
spring  I  obtained,  with  some  difficulty  indeed,  a  full  repre 
sentation  of  the  Six  Nations  to  come  hither.  I  have  sent 
all  of  them  away  well  satisfied,  and  fully  convinced  of  the 
justice  and  good  dispositions  of  this  government  towards 
the  Indian  nations  generally.  .  .  .  With  difficulty  still 
greater,  I  have  brought  the  celebrated  Joseph  Brant 
[Thayendanegea]  to  this  city,  with  a  view  to  impress  him 
also  with  the  equitable  intentions  of  this  government 
towards  all  the  nations  of  his  color.  He  only  arrived  last 


*  "  For  the  Benefit  of  Mons.  Placide.  BY  AUTHOKITY.  By  the  Old 
American  Company,  at  the  Theatre  in  Southwark.  This  Evening,  June  5, 
Will  be  presented  a  COMEDY,  Called— The  Beaux  Stratagem.  End  of 
the  Play,  DANCING  on  the  TIGHT  HOPE,  By  Monsieur  PLACIDE  and 
the  LITTLE  DEVIL." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser,  June  5. 


1792]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  239 

night,*  and  I  am  to  give  him  an  audience  at  twelve  this 
day." — Washington  to  Gouverneur  Morris. 

The  policy  of  the  first  President  toward  the  Indians  was,  if  possible,  to 
attach  them  to  the  interests  of  the  United  (States,  and  at  the  same  time  to 
persuade  them  to  exchange  the  savage  state  for  one  of  civilization.  To 
carry  out  this  design  it  was  thought  that  no  better  plan  could  be  adopted 
than  to  impress  upon  them  the  habits  of  industry  and  the  cultivation  of 
their  lands.  In  concluding  an  address  (January  19,  1791)  to  Cornplanter, 
Halftown,  and  Great- Tree,  three  chiefs  of  the  Seneca  Nation,  at  that  time 
on  a  visit  to  the  seat  of  government,  Washington  said,  "You  may,  when 
you  return  from  this  city  to  your  own  country,  mention  to  your  nation  my 
desire  to  promote  their  prosperity,  by  teaching  them  the  use  of  domestic 
animals,  and  the  manner  that  the  white  people  plough  and  raise  so  much 
corn;  and  if,  upon  consideration,  it  would  be  agreeable  to  the  nation  at 
large  to  learn  these  arts,  I  will  find  some  means  of  teaching  them  at  such 
places  within  their  country  as  shall  be  agreed  upon." 

TUESDAY,  JULY  3. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  Your  letter  of  the  20th  ultimo  was 
presented  to  me  by  Mr.  Williams,  who  as  a  professional 
man  may  or  may  not  be,  for  aught  I  know,  a  luminary  of 
the  first  magnitude.  But  to  be  frank,  arid  I  hope  you  will 
not  be  displeased  with  me  for  being  so,  I  am  so  heartily 
tired  of  the  attendance,  which,  from  one  cause  or  another 
has  been  given  to  these  people,  that  it  is  now  more  than 
two  years  since  I  have  resolved  to  sit  no  more  for  any  of 
them,  and  have  adhered  to  it,  except  in  instances  where  it 
has  been  requested  by  public  bodies,  or  for  a  particular  pur 
pose  (not  of  the  painters),  arid  could  not  without  offence  be 
refused." — Washington  to  Henry  Lee. 

Notwithstanding  this  refusal,  Mr.  Williams  persevered  in  his  purpose, 
and,  acting  upon  the  hint  conveyed  in  the  above-quoted  letter,  offered  to 
compliment  the  Alexandria  Washington  Lodge,  No.  22,  with  a  portrait  of 
the  President,  provided  the  Lodge  would  apply  to  him  for  that  purpose. 

*  "  June  21. — Arrived  yesterday  Evening  in  this  City,  Escorted  by  Colonel 
Thomas  Proctor,  and  Major  Stagg,  Col.  Joseph  Brandt,  the  celebrated 
Chief  of  the  Six  Nations  of  the  Northern  Indians." — Dunlap's  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 


240  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1792 

This  offer  was  brought  before  the  Lodge  at  a  meeting  held  August  29,  1793, 
and,  being  received  with  favor,  the  application  was  ordered  to  be  made. 

Being  thus  armed,  Mr.  Williams  met  with  better  success,  and  obtained  a 
sitting  from  the  President  in  September,  1794.*  This  portrait,  a  half-length, 
is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  Alexandria  Lodge  ;  it  represents  Washington 
as  a  Mason,  with  the  collar  and  jewel  of  a  Past  Master,  and  amounts  so 
nearly  to  a  caricature  (judging  from  the  print  after  it  by  O'Neill)  f  that  it 
would  seem  the  President,  in  refusing  the  original  application,  must  have 
had  some  inkling  as  to  the  lack  of  artistic  powers  on  the  part  of  Mr. 
Williams. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  4. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  July  5. — Yesterday,  being  the  anni 
versary  of  the  political  birth-day  of  our  country,  was  ush 
ered  in  with  every  demonstration  of  joy  due  to  the  occasion, 
which  gave  freedom  to  a  world — Congratulations,  becoming 
freemen  governed  by  equal  laws,  were  expressed  with  a 
cordiality,  which  freemen  only  can  feel — Bells  and  cannon 
but  feebly  proclaimed  the  sentiments  of  citizens,  who,  con 
scious  of  the  advantages  which  result  from  political  and 
religious  liberty,  revere  the  return  of  that  day,  on  which 
they  emerged  from  the  horrors  of  servitude  to  the  blessings 
of  INDEPENDENCE." — Dimlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  Among  the  offerings  to  the  altar  of  Freedom — we  beheld  with  sincere 
satisfaction  the  homage  paid  by  all  orders  of  men  to  the  Military  Defender, 
and  Civil  Guardian  of  his  country.  Congratulations  were  offered  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  by  the  foreign  Ministers— the  officers  of  the 
militia,  and  many  respectable  citizens.  The  Society  of  the  Cincinnati 
headed  by  their  President  [Thomas  Miiflin]  and  Vice  President  [Thomas 
McKean]  (the  Governor  and  Chief  Justice  of  the  State)  went  in  procession 
to  pay  their  respects  to  the  President  of  the  United  States." — Idem. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  11. 

Leaves  Philadelphia:  "July  18. — This  day  se'nnight 
the  President  of  the  United  States  and  his  Lady,  left  this 

*  On  the  back  of  the  portrait  is  the  following  inscription  :  "  His  Excel 
lency  George  Washington  Esquire  President  of  the  United  States,  aged  64 
— Williams  Pinxit  ad  vivum  in  Philadelphia,  September  18,  1794." 

f  See  Baker's  "  Engraved  Portraits  of  Washington,"  p.  104. 


1792]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  241 

city,  on  a  tour   to   Mount  Vernon." — Dunlap's  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  29. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  At  present  all  my  business  public 
and  private  is  on  my  own  shoulders;  the  two  young  gen 
tlemen  [Howell  Lewis  and  Bartholomew  Dandridge],  who 
came  home  with  me,  being  on  visits  to  their  friends,  and 
my  nephew,  the  Major  [George  Augustine  Washington], 
too  much  indisposed  to  afford  me  any  aid." — Washington  to 
Alexander  Hamilton. 

SUNDAY,  AUGUST  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Since  the  date  of  my  last  despatch 
to  you  of  the  I8t  instant,  I  have  received  your  letters  of  the 
26th  and  30th  ultimo." — Washington  to  Alexander  Hamilton. 

From  Alexander  Hamilton's  Letter. — "  I  received  the  most  sincere  pleas 
ure  at  finding  in  our  last  conversation,  that  there  was  some  relaxation  in 
the  disposition  you  had  before  discovered  to  decline  a  reelection.  Since 
your  departure,  I  have  lost  no  opportunity  of  sounding  the  opinions  of  per 
sons,  whose  opinions  were  worth  knowing,  on  these  two  points;  first,  the 
effect  of  your  declining  upon  the  public  affairs,  and  upon  your  own  reputa 
tion  ;  secondly,  the  effect  of  your  continuing,  in  reference  to  the  declara 
tions  you  have  made  of  your  disinclination  to  public  life.  And  I  can  truly 
say,  that  I  have  not  found  the  least  difference  of  sentiment  on  either  point. 
The  impression  is  uniform,  that  your  declining  would  be  to  be  deplored  as 
the  greatest  evil  that  could  befall  the  country  at  the  present  juncture,  and 
as  critically  hazardous  to  your  own  reputation  ;  that  your  continuance  will 
be  justified  in  the  mind  of  every  friend  to  his  country  by  the  evident  neces 
sity  for  it.  ...  I  trust,  Sir,  and  I  pray  God,  that  you  will  determine  to 
make  a  further  sacrifice  of  your  tranquility  and  happiness  to  the  public 
good.  I  trust,  that  it  need  not  continue  above  a  year  or  two  more.  And  I 
think,  that  it  will  be  more  eligible  to  retire  from  office  before  the  expiration 
of  the  term  of  election,  than  to  decline  a  reelection.'' — Philadelphia,  July  30. 

Thomas  Jefferson  also,  in  writing  to  "Washington  on  the  same  subject, 
under  date  of  May  23,  said,  "  The  confidence  of  the  whole  Union  is  centred 
in  you.  Your  being  at  the  helm  will  be  more  than  an  answer  to  every 
argument  which  can  be  used  to  alarm  and  lead  the  people  in  any  quarter 
into  violence  or  secession.  North  and  south  will  hang  together,  if  they 
have  you  to  hang  on  ;  and,  if  the  first  corrective  of  a  numerous  representa- 

16 


242  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1792 

tion  should  fail  in  its  effect,  your  presence  will  give  time  for  trying  others 
not  inconsistent  with  the  union  and  peace  of  the  States." 

SUNDAY,  AUGUST  26. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  With  respect,  however,  to  the  in 
teresting  subject  treated  in  your  letter  of  the  5th  instant,  I 
can  express  but  one  sentiment  at  this  time,  and  that  is  a 
wish,  a  devout  one,  that,  whatever  my  ultimate  determina 
tion  shall  be,  it  may  be  for  the  best.  The  subject  never 
recurs  to  my  mind  but  with  additional  poignancy;  and, 
from  the  declining  state  of  the  health  of  my  nephew,  to 
whom  my  concerns  of  a  domestic  and  private  nature  are 
entrusted,  it  comes  with  aggravated  force.  But  as  the  All- 
wise  Disposer  of  events  has  hitherto  watched  over  my 
steps,  I  trust,  that,  in  the  important  one  I  may  soon  be 
called  upon  to  take,  he  will  mark  the  course  so  plainly,  as 
that  I  cannot  mistake  the  way." — Washington  to  Edviund 
Randolph. 

From,  Edmund  Randolph's  Letter. — "  Permit  me,  then,  in  the  fervor  of  a 
dutiful  and  affectionate  attachment  to  you,  to  beseech  you  to  penetrate  the 
consequences  of  a  dereliction  of  the  reins.  The  constitution  would  never 
have  been  adopted,  but  from  a  knowledge  that  you  had  once  sanctioned  it, 
and  an  expectation  that  you  would  execute  it.  It  is  in  a  state  of  probation. 
The  most  inauspicious  struggles  are  past,  but  the  public  deliberations  need 
stability.  You  alone  can  give  them  stability.  You  suffered  yourself  to 
yield  when  the  voice  of  your  country  summoned  you  to  the  administration. 
Should  a  civil  war  arise,  you  cannot  stay  at  home.  And  how  much  easier 
will  it  be  to  disperse  the  factions,  which  are  rushing  to  this  catastrophe, 
than  to  subdue  them  after  they  shall  appear  in  arms  ?  It  is  the  fixed 
opinion  of  the  world,  that  you  surrender  nothing  incomplete." — Philadel 
phia,  August  5. 

SATUKDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  16. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  Issues  a  proclamation  respecting  the 
opposition  to  the  excise  laws  imposing  a  tax  on  domestic 
distilled  spirits.* 


*  The  proclamation  was  sent  to  Thomas  Jefferson,  at  Monticello,  for  his 
signature,  and  then  published  at  Philadelphia,  September  27. 


1792]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  243 

The  excise  law  of  the  3d  of  March,  1791,  was  extremely  offensive  to  the 
people  in  many  parts  of  the  country,  but  especially  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Pennsylvania  west  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  whiskey  at  that  time  being 
their  most  important  item  of  trade.  Soon  after  the  publication  of  the  law 
public  meetings  were  held  in  the  counties  of  Fayette,  Alleghany,  West 
moreland,  and  Washington,  at  which  the  law  was  denounced  as  inimical  to 
the  interests  of  the  country,  and  at  a  meeting  in  Pittsburgh,  August  21, 
1792,  resolutions  were  passed  recommending  that  no  intercourse  or  dealings 
should  be  held  with  any  one  who  hud  accepted  or  might  accept  an  office  to 
carry  out  the  provisions  of  the  act ;  and  that  all  aid,  support,  or  comfort 
should  be  withheld  from  them.  In  course  of  time  this  movement  assumed 
an  organized  form,  which  finally  culminated  in  armed  opposition  and  violence. 

The  proclamation  earnestly  admonished  and  exhorted  all  persons  to  refrain 
and  desist  from  combinations  to  obstruct  the  operation  of  the  law,  "  inasmuch 
as  all  lawful  ways  and  means  will  be  strictly  put  in  execution  for  bringing  to 
justice  the  infractors  thereof  and  securing  obedience  thereto." 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Georgetown,  October  1. — I  called  at 
Gunstonhall,  the  proprietor  [George  Mason]  just  recovering 
from  a  dreadful  attack  of  the  colic.  ...  I  proceeded  to 
Mount  Vernon  &  had  a  full  free  &  confidential  conversation 
with  the  President.  .  .  .  He  declares  himself  quite  unde 
cided  about  retiring,  desirous  to  do  so,  yet  not  decided  if 
strong  motives  against  it  exist." — Thomas  Jefferson  to  James 
Madison. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBEK  7. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  As  Mrs.  Washington  and  myself 
expect  to  set  out  to-morrow  for  Philadelphia,  I  have  taken 
advantage  of  the  good  opportunity  afforded  by  Mr.  Robert 
Lewis  of  sending  Harriot  [Washington]  to  Fredericks- 
burg." —  Washington  to  Mrs.  Betty  Lewis. 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBEE  13. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  October  15.— The  President  of  the 
United  States,  his  Lady,  and  Family,  arrived  here  on  Satur 
day  afternoon  [October  13],  from  Mount  Vernon." — Dun- 
lap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 


244  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1792 

"  In  the  year  1790,  the  Federal  Government  removed  from  New  York  to 
Philadelphia,  for  a  ten  years  residence,  and  to  give  time  to  prepare  the  City 
of  Washington  for  a  permanent  location.  I  came  two  years  after,  with  my 
father's  family,  to  fix  myself  for  life  in  Philadelphia.  Living  in  the  same 
town,  I  had  frequent  opportunities  of  seeing  the  President,  and  attending  his 
reception  days  in  the  morning,  and  those  of  Mrs.  "Washington  in  the  even 
ing  :  a  pleasure  of  which  I  availed  myself  for  several  years ;  and,  at  the 
opening  of  Congress,  which  the  President  did  in  person,  I  was  always  a 
spectator.  On  these  occasions  he  went  in  state,  drawn  in  a  coach  by  four 
horses  ;  and  taking  the  Vice  President's  chair  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  where 
the  House  of  Kepresentatives  was  assembled,  he  read  his  Speech.  His  suc 
cessor,  John  Adams,  followed  this  custom.  But  Jefferson,  dispensing  with 
personal  attendance,  sent  his  speech,  in  the  form  of  a  Message,  to  both 
houses  ;  a  mode  which  has  been  in  use  ever  since ;  and  is,  no  doubt  an  im 
provement,  because  it  has  put  an  end  to  long  and  angry  speeches  in  each 
house,  when  the  answer  to  the  President  was  under  debate.  A  message  re 
quiring  no  answer,  that  cause  of  contention,  often  protracted  for  days,  was 
happily  laid  aside. 

"Washington's  stables  in  Minor  Street,*  contained  some  of  the  finest 
horses  in  the  Union,  both  for  carriage  and  saddle.  The  sixteen  stalls  were 
generally  filled.  He  inspected  them  every  morning,  and  thus  insured  good 
grooming  and  care.  Those  stables  were  shown  by  me  to  all  strangers  under 
my  guidance ;  being,  as  I  always  thought,  one  of  the  most  attractive  sights 
in  the  City.  I  have  seen  the  President  in  his  large  white  coach  start  from 
his  door,  with  six  of  those  splendid  horses,  driven  by  a  coachman  and  two 
postillions,  suitably  dressed  in  livery.  His  rides  for  health  and  recreation 
were  very  often  to  Belmont,  the  country  seat  of  Judge  Richard  Peters,  who 
had  been  his  friend  and  intimate  acquaintance  during  the  long  war  of  the 
Revolution.  The  gardens  at  Belmont,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Schuylkill 
about  five  miles  from  town,  are  remarkable  for  their  umbrageous  and  retired 
walks  ;  where  the  Fir-trees,  Hemlocs  and  Pines,  cast  their  deep  shades,  from 
trees  of  one  hundred  years  growth.  There  it  was  the  great  man  sought  re 
laxation  from  the  cares  of  Government.  A  tree  must  still  stand  in  those 
grounds  which  he  planted  with  his  own  hands ;  it  was  pointed  out  to  me  by 
one  of  the  family.  .  .  . 

"  Washington's  personal  presence  was  majestic.  Six  feet  high  and  finely 
proportioned ;  no  individual  of  his  day  was  so  remarkable  for  dignity  and 
grace  in  deportment  when  in  public.  At  the  receptions,  his  manners  were 
so  engaging  and  affable,  yet  exercised  with  discrimination,  that  it  pleased 
and  contented  every  one.  Sir  Robert  Liston,  the  British  Minister,  was  so 
surprized,  that  he  said  to  his  friends :  '  I  have  read  much  about  this  great 
man ;  but  no  passage  in  his  history  prepared  me  to  see  such  commanding 


*  A  small  street  extending  from  Fifth  to  Sixth  Street,  directly  in  the  rear 
of  the  President's  house. 


1792]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  245 

dignity  in  person  and  behavior.'  Beloved  Man!  Can  the  bosom  of  an 
American  suppress  its  pride  when  your  story  is  told  ?  Can  it  calm  the  glow 
ing, — the  tender  affection,  the  heart-felt  gratitude,  which  the  recollection  of 
your  services  awakens  ?  No,  Never  1  Never!"  * — MS.  of  Samuel  Breck. 

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBEK  6. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  November  7. — Yesterday  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  met  both  Houses  of  the  National 
Legislature  in  the  Senate  Chamber  and  delivered  his 
speech,  "f — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

Dr.  Ashbel  Green,  chaplain  of  Congress  from  November  5,  1792,  until 
the  seat  of  government  was  removed  from  Philadelphia  to  Washington  City, 
has  left  us  in  his  "  Keminiscences"  the  following  description  of  Washing 
ton's  manner  of  delivering  his  speech  at  the  opening  of  Congress  : 

"  There  was  more  of  the  indefinable  quality  called  presence  in  President 
Washington  than  any  other  person  I  have  ever  known.  In  his  general 
manners  he  was  eminently  courteous  and  kind  ;  and  yet  to  the  last,  I  could 
never  speak  to  him  without  feeling  a  degree  of  embarrassment  such  as  I 
have  never  felt  in  the  presence  of  any  other  individual,  man  or  woman,  with 
whom  I  was  well  acquainted.  In  his  observance  of  appointments  he  was 
punctiliously  exact.  After  I  was  chaplain,  I  believe  I  was  present  at  all  his 
speeches  on  the  opening  of  a  session  of  congress  ;  for  the  custom  of  sending 
a  message  to  congress,  which  was  introduced  by  Mr.  Jefferson,  was  then 
unknown.  Twelve  o'clock  at  noon,  was  the  usual  hour  agreed  on  for  his 
opening  speech,  and  in  no  instance  did  he  fail  in  a  punctual  attendance  at 
that  hour;  indeed,  he  commonly  crossed  the  threshold  of  the  door  where 
the  congress  sat,  exactly  when  the  clock  was  striking  the  hour  of  twelve. 
The  two  houses  always  assembled  to  receive  him  in  the  senate  chamber.J 


*  From  a  "  Sketch  of  General  George  Washington,"  by  Samuel  Breck,  of 
Philadelphia,  forming  part  of  the  contents  of  a  manuscript  volume  entitled 
"  Sketches  of  Members  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society  personally 
known  to  the  Writer."  The  sketches,  twenty  in  number,  were  written  by 
Mr.  Breck  in  the  summer  of  1862.  Samuel  Breck  was  born  in  Boston,  July 
17,  1771,  and  died  at  Philadelphia,  September  1,  1802.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Legislature  for  many  years,  and  a  member  of  Congress 

1823-25. 

f  "  November  6,  1792. — About  noon  fifteen  guns  were  fired  at  corner  of 
Ninth  and  Market  Streets  because  the  President  delivered  his  address  to 
Congress,  which  met  yesterday." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

I  This  is  an  error.  On  three  occasions — November  19,  1794,  December  8, 
1795,  and  December  7,  1796 — the  President  read  his  speech  to  Congress  in 
the  hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 


246  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1792 

"When  he  entered,  all  the  members  of  both  houses  rose  from  their  seats,  and 
stood  up  until  he  had  taken  his  seat,  which  he  did  immediately  after  bowing 
to  his  audience.  When  he  was  seated,  he  looked  around  on  the  audience 
for  a  minute  or  two,  and  then  took  out  his  spectacles  from  a  common  red 
morocco  case,  and  laid  them  on  his  knee,  and  then  took  from  his  side-pocket 
his  written  speech.  After  putting  on  his  spectacles  he  rose  and  began  his 
address,  which  he  read  closely.  He  read  distinctly  and  audibly,  but  in  no 
other  respect  was  his  reading  excellent.  Dr.  Witherspoon  had  heard  George 
the  Third  deliver  one  of  his  speeches  to  the  British  parliament,  which  he 
said  was  in  the  very  best  style  of  elocution.  This  could  not  be  said  of  the 
speeches  of  Washington  ;  his  elocution  had  no  glaring  fault,  and  no  high 
excellence. ' ' 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  9. 

At  Philadelphia:  "November  10. — Yesterday  (Friday) 
the  Members  of  the  Senate  waited  on  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  at  his  own  house,  with  an  answer  to  his 
speech  to  both  Houses  of  Congress." — Dunlap's  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  11. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  The  mulberry  trees  may  be  planted 
about  in  clumps,  as  mentioned  in  my  letter  by  last  post  to 
the  gardener.  They  are  not  trimmed,  because,  as  I  am  in 
formed,  these  trees  may  be  propagated  by  cuttings  from 
them,  and  save  me  the  trouble  and  expense  of  sending  more 
from  this  place.  With  respect  to  the  shrubs  from  Mr. 
Bartram's  botanical  garden,  directions  at  the  foot  of  the  list 
are  given  so  fully,  as  to  render  it  unnecessary  to  add  aught 
concerning  them  in  this  letter ;  but  the  grapes  the  gardener 
must  take  particular  care  of,  as  they  are  of  a  very  fine 
kind." — Washington  to  Anthony  Whiting. 

While  Washington  was  absent  from  home,  discharging  the  duties  of 
President  of  the  United  States,  it  was  his  custom  to  exact  from  the  manager 
at  Mount  Vernon,  once  in  each  week,  a  full  report  of  the  proceedings  on  all 
the  farms.  These  were  regularly  answered  each  week  by  the  President,  and 
sometimes  oftener.  His  letters  frequently  filled  two  or  three  sheets  closely 
written.  The  importance  he  attached  to  these  letters,  and  his  diligence  in 
preparing  them,  may  be  understood  from  the  fact  that  he  first  made  rough 


1792]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  247 

drafts,  which  were  copied  out  by  himself  in  a  fair  hand  before  they  were  sent 
off.     Press  copies  were  then  taken,  which  he  preserved. 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  12. 

At  Philadelphia :  On  this  day  the  Speaker  (Jonathan 
Trumbull),  preceded  by  the  Sergeant-at-Arms  and  attended 
by  the  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  waited 
on  the  President  with  an  answer  to  his  speech  to  both 
Houses  of  Congress. 

THUKSDAY,  DECEMBER  13. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  13. — The  President  called 
on  me  to  see  the  model  and  drawings  of  some  mills  for 
sawing  stone.  After  showing  them,  he  in  the  course  of 
a  subsequent  conversation  asked  me  if  there  was  not  some 
good  manufactories  of  porcelain  in  Germany ;  that  he  was 
in  want  of  table  china,  and  had  been  speaking  to  Mr.  Shaw, 
who  was  going  to  the  East  Indies  to  bring  him  a  set,  but  he 
found  that  it  would  not  come  till  he  should  no  longer  be  in  a 
situation  to  want  it.  He  took  occasion  a  second  time  to  ob 
serve  that  Shaw  said  it  would  be  two  years  at  least  before 
he  could  have  the  china  here,  before  which  time  he  said  he 
should  be  where  he  should  not  want  it.  I  think  he  asked 
the  question  about  the  manufactories  in  Germany  merely  to 
have  an  indirect  opportunity  of  telling  me  he  meant  to 
retire,  and  within  the  limits  of  two  years." — Jefferson  Anas. 


'79?- 


WEDNESDAY,  JANUAKY  9. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  January  9. — With  three  of  my  daugh 
ters  and  some  of  their  friends,  went  on  the  roof  of  the 
small  building  Southwest  corner  Ninth  and  Market  Streets 
and  saw  Mr.  Blanchard  take  his  aerial  flight  out  of  the 
prison  yard  [Sixth  and  Walnut  Streets].  Cannon  fired 
from  daylight  to  the  time  of  his  departure,  between  ten 
and  eleven  o'clock  A.M." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

"January  10. — Mr.  BLANCHAKD,  the  bold  AERONAUT,  agreeably  to 
his  advertisement,  at  five  minutes  past  ten  o'clock  yesterday  morning  rose 
•with  a  BALOON  from  the  Prison  Court  in  this  city,  in  presence  of  an  immense 
concourse  of  spectators,  there  assembled  on  the  occasion.  .  .  .  As  soon  as  the 
clock  had  struck  10  everything  being  punctually  ready,  Mr.  Blanchard  took 
a  respectful  leave  of  all  the  spectators,  and  received  from  the  hands  of  the 
President  a  paper,*  at  the  same  time  the  President  spoke  a  few  words  to  this 
bold  adventurer,  who  immediately  leap'd  into  his  boat  which  was  painted  blue 
and  spangled ;  the  baloon  was  of  a  yellowish  color'd-silk  highly  varnished, 
over  which  there  was  a  strong  net  work — Mr.  Blanchard  was  dressed  in  a 
plain  blue  suit,  a  cock'd  hat  and  white  feathers.  .  .  . 

"  About  half  after  6  o'clock  last  evening  we  were  happy  to  meet  Mr. 
Blanchard  again  in  this  city  going  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States. — He  informed  us,  that  his  aerial  voyage  lasted  forty-six  min 
utes,  in  which  time  he  ran  over  a  space  of  more  than  15  miles  and  then  de 
scended  a  little  to  the  eastward  of  Woodbury  in  the  state  of  New  Jersey — 
where  he  took  a  carriage  and  returned  to  Cooper's  ferry — and  was  at  the 
President's,  as  we  have  already  mentioned  at  half  past  six  o'clock  last  even 
ing." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

*  The  paper  received  from  the  President  was  in  the  nature  of  an  endorse 
ment  or  protection,  with  a  request  that  the  residents  of  the  locality  in  which 
Mr.  Blanchard  might  land  from  his  aerial  flight  would  render  him  such 
assistance  as  was  in  their  power. 
248 


1793]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  249 

SATUKDAY,  JANUAKY  19. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  January  19. — Dined  with  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  on  Market  Street,  with  our 
Speaker  [Gerardus  Wynkoop]  and  eighteen  members  of  the 
[Pennsylvania]  House  [of  Representatives].  I  cannot  help 
remarking  the  ease  and  great  sociability  shown  to  all  by  the 
President." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

SUNDAY,  JANUARY  20. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  have  been  favored  with  your  letter 
of  the  6th  instant,  congratulatory  on  my  reelection  to  the 
chair  of  government.  A  mind  must  be  insensible  indeed, 
not  to  be  gratefully  impressed  by  so  distinguished  and  hon 
orable  a  testimony  of  public  approbation  and  confidence; 
and  as  I  suffered  my  name  to  be  contemplated  on  this 
occasion,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  I  should,  for  a  mo 
ment,  have  experienced  chagrin,  if  my  reelection  had  not 
been  by  a  pretty  respectable  vote.  But  to  say  I  feel  pleas 
ure  from  the  prospect  of  commencing  another  tour  of  duty 
would  be  a  departure  from  truth." — Washington  to  Henry 
Lee. 

At  the  second  election  for  President  and  Vice-President  under  the  Consti 
tution,  fifteen  States  chose  electors,  Vermont  and  Kentucky  having  been 
admitted  into  the  Union, — the  former  on  March  4,  1791,  and  the  latter  on 
June  1,  1792.  Washington  received  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  votes,  the 
full  vote  of  the  college.  John  Adams,  having  received  the  second  highest 
number  of  votes  (seventy -seven),  was  declared  to  be  Vice-President. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  31. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  If  I  had  words  that  could  convey  to 
you  an  adequate  idea  of  my  feelings  on  the  present  situation 
of  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  this  letter  would  appear  to 
you  in  a  different  garb.  The  sole  object  in  writing  to  you 
now  is,  to  inform  you  that  I  have  deposited  in  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Nicholas  Van  Staphorst,  of  Amsterdam,  two  thousand 
three  hundred  and  ten  guilders,  Holland  currency,  equal  to 
two  hundred  guineas,  subject  to  your  orders. 


250  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1793 

"  This  sum  is,  I  am  certain,  the  least  I  am  indebted  for 
services  rendered  to  me  by  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  of 
which  I  never  yet  have  received  the  account." — Washington 
to  the  Marchioness  de  Lafayette. 

The  Marquis  de  Lafayette,  who  on  the  declaration  of  war  by  France 
against  Austria  (April  20,  1792)  was  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Centre,  fifty-two  thousand  strong,  was  at  his  camp  at  Maubeuge  at  the  time 
of  the  insurrection  of  June  20,  1792.  Having  denounced  the  dangerous 
policy  of  the  Jacobins,  and  refusing,  after  the  revolution  of  August  10,  to 
obey  the  orders  of  the  Assembly,  he  was  removed  from  the  command  and 
his  impeachment  decided  upon.  He  fled  into  Belgium,  was  taken  prisoner 
by  the  Austrians,  and  handed  over  by  them  to  tke  Prussians,  by  whom  he 
was  imprisoned  first  at  Wesel,  and  afterward  (March,  1793)  at  Magde 
burg.  The  marchioness  was  retained  a  prisoner  at  Paris,  but  was  subse 
quently  permitted  to  live  on  the  family  estate  in  Auvergne  (Chavaniac), 
under  the  responsibility  of  the  municipality  of  the  village. 

After  a  year's  incarceration  at  Magdeburg,  Lafayette  was  transferred  to 
Austria  (May,  1794)  for  safe-keeping,  and  passed  three  years  and  more  in  a 
loathsome  dungeon  at  Olmutz,  where  he  was  treated  with  barbarous  cru 
elty.  "With  much  diificulty,  his  wife  and  two  daughters,  Anastasie  and 
Virginia,  got  permission  in  October,  1796,  to  share  his  captivity.  Much 
sympathy  was  felt  for  him  in  the  United  States  and  in  England.  In  Par 
liament,  Fox,  Wilberforce,  and  Sheridan  were  active  in  his  behalf,  and 
Washington  wrote  (May  15.  1796)  to  the  emperor,  Francis  II.,  asking  that 
he  might  be  allowed  to  come  on  parole  to  the  United  States.  He  was  at 
length  set  free,  September  19,  1797,  by  the  victories  of  Bonaparte. 

FKIDAY,  FEBRUARY  15. 

At  Philadelphia  :  Is  waited  upon  by  a  joint  committee  of 
both  Houses  of  Congress  and  notilied  of  his  unanimous  re 
election  to  the  office  of  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  committee  was  composed  of  Rufus  King,  of  New  York ;  Ralph 
Izard,  of  South  Carolina  ;  and  Caleb  Strong,  of  Massachusetts,  on  the  part 
of  the  Senate;  and  William  Smith,  of  South  Carolina;  James  Madison, 
of  Virginia ;  and  John  Lawrence,  of  New  York,  on  the  part  of  the  House 
of  Representatives. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  23. —  Yesterday  (February 
22)  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  Birth-Day  of  our  beloved 


1793]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE    REVOLUTION.  251 

fellow  citizen,  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  President  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  who  was  born  on  the  llth  of  February 
1732,  old  stile :  Capt.  Fisher's  volunteer  company  of  Artil 
lery  &  three  companies  of  Light  Infantry,  paraded  at  the 
State  house,  from  whence  they  marched  to  the  Artillery 
ground,  and  proceeded  to  the  corner  of  Ninth  and  Market 
streets  where  they  fired  15  rounds,  and  gave  three  cheers ; 
afterwards,  they  marched  down  Market  street,  and  gave  a 
salute  as  they  passed  the  President's  house ;  from  whence 
proceeding  down  Market  to  Third  street,  they  returned  to 
the  State  House." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  All  the  shipping  in  the  Harbour  had  their  colours  hoisted  out,  and  the 
bells  of  Christ  church  rang  peals  every  half  hour,  during  the  day.  Most 
of  the  Members  of  both  houses  of  Congress,  and  many  hundreds  of 
respectable  citizens,  waited  on  the  President,  to  pay  him  a  visit  of  personal 
respect,  &  offer  their  sincere  congratulations  on  the  occasion.  Indeed 
every  possible  testimony  of  joy  was  expressed  throughout  the  city  of 
Philadelphia;  and  the  beauty  of  the  weather  added  greatly  to  the  scene,  by 
seeming  to  welcome  the  day  on  which  our  trusty  Patriot,  Victorious  Gen 
eral,  and  excellent  Chief  Magistrate,  entered  his  SIXTY  SECOND  YKAB.  In 
the  evening  there  was  an  elegant  ball  at  Oeller's  Hotel ;  and  in  many  other 
places  the  day  was  closed  with  conviviality  and  heart-felt  rejoicings. 

"  Disclaiming  as  we  do,  all  pretensions  to  adulation,  it  was  impossible  for 
us,  it  is  impossible  for  any  American,  or  perhaps  for  the  people  of  any 
nation  upon  earth,  to  refrain  from  expressing  a  degree  of  satisfaction  at  the 
return  of  every  revolving  year  that  prolongs  the  life  of  a  man,  whose  vir 
tues  have  raised  him  to  the  very  highest  pitch  of  esteem. 

" '  Oft  as  this  auspicious  day. 

Sacred  to  mem'ry,  shall  return, 
Let  Freedom  pour  the  grateful  lay, 

And  haughty  Tyrants  mourn !' " — Idem. 

MONDAY,  MAKCH  4. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  March  5. — Yesterday,  our  beloved  and 
venerable  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  came  to  the  Senate  Cham 
ber  of  Congress,  and  took  the  usual  oath  of  office,  which 
was  administered  to  him  by  Judge  Gushing,  at  noon,  in 
presence  of  an  immense  concourse  of  his  fellow  citizens, 
members  of  both  Houses  of  the  United  States,  Legislature, 


252  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1793 

and  several  foreign  ministers,  consuls,  &c. — There  was  like 
wise  an  assemblage  of  ladies,  attending  on  this  solemn  oc 
casion,  and  the  day  was  extremely  serene ;  for,  Providence 
has  always  smiled  on  the  day  of  this  man,  and  on  the 
glorious  cause  which  he  has  ever  espoused,  of  LIBERTY  and 
EQUALITY. 

"  After  taking  the  oath,  the  President  retired,  as  he  had 
come,  without  pomp  or  ceremony;  but  on  his  departure 
from  the  House,  the  people  could  no  longer  refrain  obeying 
the  genuine  dictates  of  their  hearts,  and  they  saluted  him 
with  three  cheers." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  March  5,  1793. — I  was  present  yesterday  at  the  ceremony  of  adminis 
tering  the  oath  of  office  to  Mr.  Washington  on  his  re-election  for  the  next 
four  years  as  President  of  the  United  States.  It  was  administered  by  one 
of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  in  the  presence 
of  the  Senators  and  as  many  individuals  as  could  be  crowded  into  the  room. 
The  President  first  made  a  short  speech,  expressive  of  his  sense  of  the  high 
honour  conferred  on  him  by  his  re-election.  There  was  nothing  particular 
in  the  ceremony  itself.  .  .  . 

"  There  was  one  thing,  which  I  observed  yesterday  in  the  Senate  Cham 
ber,  which,  if  not  accidental,  will  serve  to  mark  the  character  of  the  people, 
though  it  was  trifling  in  itself.  The  portraits  of  the  King  and  Queen  of 
France,  which  were  presented,  I  believe  during  the  war,  were  covered  with  a 
curtain,  a  circumstance  which  was  not  the  case  most  certainly  when  I  have 
been  there  on  former  occasions.  Alas  !  poor  Louis  ! 

" '  Deserted  at  his  utmost  need 
By  those  his  former  bounty  fed !' 

"  The  French,  those  murderous  imitators  will,  I  fear,  supply  the  rest  of 
this  passage,  and  in  the  very  spirit,  too,  which  actuated  the  assassins  of  the 
unfortunate  Darius.  I  don't  know  whether  I  mentioned  to  you  formerly 
that  the  key  of  the  Bastile,  given  to  a  certain  great  man  here  by  La  Fay- 
ette,  is  hung  up  in  a  glass  frame  in  the  principal  room  of  the  great  man's 
house,  with  an  engraving  of  Louis  XVI.,  le  patriote  Roi  dcs  Francais,  op 
posite  to  it.  In  the  drawing-room  of  Mr.  Jefferson  there  are  three  busts, — 
of  Franklin,  Paul  Jones,  and  La  Fayette,  three  gentlemen,  the  first  of 
whom  had  talents  without  virtue,  the  second  deserved  hanging,  and  the  last, 
not  improbably,  may  meet  with  that  fate.  The  French  principles  are  gain 
ing  ground  fast  in  this  country  ;  you  will  have  heard  of  their  rejoicings  at 
the  late  successes  of  the  French ;  you  will  have  heard  of  the  attacks  upon 
the  President  himself  for  his  levees  and  other  appendages  of  monarchy  and 


1793]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  253 

aristocracy ;  the  name  of  'citizen'  is  bandied  about,  and  in  the  course  of  last 
month  a  motion  was  made  in  the  House  of  Kepresentatives,  in  the  very 
spirit  of  Cromwell  and  democracy,  that  the  mace  of  that  House  should  be 
broken  up  as  a  useless  bauble,  and  the  silver,  of  which  part  of  it  is  com 
posed,  sent  to  the  public  mint.  The  mace  is  somewhat  in  the  form  of  the 
ancient  Roman  Fasces ;  it  consists  of  thirteen  arrows  bound  together,  and  an 
eagle  on  the  top." — Edward  Thornton  to  Sir  James  Bland  Surges,  Bart. 

SATURDAY,  MARCH  23. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  If  it  can  be  esteemed  a  happiness  to 
live  in  an  age  productive  of  great  arid  interesting  events, 
we  of  the  present  age  are  very  highly  favored.  The  ra 
pidity  of  national  revolutions  appears  no  less  astonishing, 
than  their  magnitude.  In  what  they  will  terminate  is 
known  only  to  the  Great  Ruler  of  events ;  and,  confiding 
in  his  wisdom  and  goodness,  we  may  safely  trust  the  issue 
to  him,  without  perplexing  ourselves  to  seek  for  that,  which 
is  beyond  human  ken;  only  taking  care  to  perform  the  parts 
assigned  to  us,  in  a  way  that  reason  and  our  own  consciences 
approve." — Washington  to  David  Humphreys. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  24. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  shall  leave  this  on  Wednesday  next, 
so  as  to  be  at  Georgetown  on  the  Monday  following  (the 
first  of  April) ;  and  if  not  detained  there  by  business,  shall 
be  at  Mount  Vernon  the  day  after.  I  shall  take  Osborne 
and  the  two  postillions  with  me,  and  eight  horses." — 
Washington  to  Anthony  Whiting. 

WEDNESDAY,  MARCH  27. 

Leaves  Philadelphia:  "April  1. — The  President  of  the 
United  States  left  town  last  Wednesday  afternoon  [March 
27],  on  a  visit  to  Mount  Vernon." — Dunlap's  American  Daily 
Advertiser. 

TUESDAY,  APRIL  9. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  On  Thursday  next  [April  11]  at 
one  o'clock,  I  mean  to  pay  the  last  respect  to  the  remains 


254  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1793 

of  my  deceased  Nephew — by  having  the  funeral  obsequies 
performed.  .  .  .  The  funeral  will  be  in  the  presence  of  a 
few  friends  only." — Washington  to  David  Stuart. 

The  nephew  whose  death  is  referred  to  was  Major  George  Augustine 
Washington,  son  of  the  President's  brother  Charles,  who  had  been  living 
at  Mount  Vernon  since  1784,  and  had  taken  charge  of  the  estate  as  manager 
in  April,  1789.  His  health  had  been  failing  for  some  time  from  a  pul 
monary  affection.  Major  Washington  served  in  the  Eevolution  as  an  aide 
to  General  Lafayette  in  his  Virginia  campaign. 

FKIDAY,  APKIL  12. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  War  having  actually  commenced 
between  France  and  Great  Britain,  it  behoves  the  govern 
ment  of  this  country  to  use  every  means  in  its  power  to 
prevent  the  citizens  thereof  from  embroiling  us  with  either 
of  those  powers,  by  endeavouring  to  maintain  a  strict  neu 
trality.  I  therefore  require,  that  you  will  give  the  subject 
mature  consideration,  that  such  measures  as  shall  be  deemed 
most  likely  to  effect  this  desirable  purpose  may  be  adopted 
without  delay;  for  I  have  understood,  that  vessels  are 
already  designated  as  privateers,  and  are  preparing  ac 
cordingly.  .  .  .  I  shall  set  out  to-morrow  [for  Philadelphia] 
but  will  leave  it  to  the  advices,  which  I  may  receive  to-night 
by  the  post,  to  determine  whether  it  is  to  be  by  the  most 
direct  route,  or  by  the  one  I  proposed  to  come,  that  is,  by 
Reading  &c."' — Washington  to  Thomas  Jefferson. 

WEDNESDAY,  APKIL  17. 

At  Philadelphia:  "April  19.— The  President  of  the 
United  States  arrived  in  town,  from  his  southern  tour  last 
Wednesday  [April  17]  in  good  health." — Dunlap's  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 

"  My  visit  to  Mount  Vernon,  intended  to  be  short  when  I  set  out,  was 
curtailed  by  the  declaration  of  war  by  France  against  Great  Britain  and 
Holland;  for  I  foresaw,  in  the  moment  information  of  that  event  came  to 
me  at  that  place,  the  necessity  for  announcing  the  disposition  of  this  coun 
try  towards  the  belligerent  powers,  and  the  propriety  of  restraining,  as  far 


1793]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  255 

as  a  proclamation  would  do  it,  our  citizens  from  taking  part  in  the  contest." 
—  Washington  to  Henry  Lee,  May  6. 

FK1DAY,  APRIL  19. 

At  Philadelphia :  A  Cabinet  meeting  at  the  President's 
house.  Present,  Thomas  Jeft'erson,  Alexander  Hamilton, 
General  Knox,  and  Edmund  Randolph,  Attorney-General. 
It  was  agreed  unanimously,  "  That  a  proclamation  shall 
issue  forbidding  our  citizens  to  take  part  in  any  hostilities 
on  the  seas,  with  or  against  any  of  the  belligerent  powers ; 
and  warning  them  against  carrying  to  any  such  powers  any 
of  those  articles  deemed  contraband,  according  to  the 
modern  usage  of  nations ;  and  enjoining  them  from  all  acts 
and  proceedings  inconsistent  with  the  duties  of  a  friendly 
nation  towards  those  at  war."  It  was  also  unanimously 
agreed  that  a  minister  from  the  Republic  of  France  should 
be  received. 

MONDAY,  APEIL  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  Issues  a  proclamation,  reciting  "  that  a 
state  of  war  exists  between  Austria,  Prussia,  Sardinia,  Great 
Britain,  and  the  United  Netherlands,  on  the  one  part,  and 
France  on  the  other ;  and  the  duty  and  interest  of  the 
United  States  require,  that  they  should  with  sincerity  and 
good  faith  adopt  and  pursue  a  conduct  friendly  and  impar 
tial  towards  the  belligerent  powers ; 

"  I  have  therefore  thought  fit  by  these  presents  to  declare 
the  disposition  of  the  United  States  to  observe  the  conduct 
aforesaid  towards  those  powers  respectively,  and  to  exhort 
and  warn  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  carefully  to  avoid 
all  acts  and  proceedings  whatsoever,  which  may  in  any 
manner  tend  to  contravene  such  disposition,"  etc. 

The  proclamation  of  neutrality  may  be  considered,  in  regard  to  its  char 
acter  and  consequences,  one  of  the  most  important  measures  of  Washington's 
administration.  It  was  the  commencement  of  that  system  to  which  the 
American  government  afterward  inflexibly  adhered,  and  to  which  much  of 
the  national  prosperity  is  to  be  ascribed.  But  this  act,  founded  on  the 


256  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1793 

clearest  principles  of  justice  and  policy,  was  at  variance  with  the  prejudices, 
the  feelings,  and  the  passions  of  a  large  portion  of  the  citizens,  blinded  for 
the  time  by  their  partiality  for  republican  France  and  antipathy  for  their 
ancient  enemy.  It  also  presented  the  first  occasion  which  was  thought  a  fit 
one  for  openly  assaulting  a  character  around  which  the  affections  of  the 
people  had  thrown  an  armor  heretofore  deemed  sacred,  and  for  directly 
criminating  the  conduct  of  the  President  himself.  It  was  stigmatized  as  a 
royal  edict,  an  unwarrantable  and  daring  assumption  of  executive  power, 
and  an  open  manifestation  by  the  President  and  his  political  friends  of 
partiality  for  England  and  hostility  to  France. 

Washington  saw  that  a  deadly  blow  was  aimed  at  his  influence  and  his 
administration,  and  that  both  were  at  hazard ;  but  he  was  convinced  that 
neutrality  was  the  true  national  policy,  and  he  resolved  to  maintain  it 
whatever  might  be  his  immediate  loss  of  popular  favor.  Under  date  of 
July  21  he  wrote  to  Henry  Lee,  "  But  in  what  will  this  abuse  terminate? 
For  the  result,  as  it  respects  myself,  I  care  not;  for  I  have  a  consolation 
within,  that  no  earthly  efforts  can  deprive  me  of,  and  that  is,  that  neither 
ambitious  nor  interested  motives  have  influenced  my  conduct.  The  arrows 
of  malevolence,  therefore,  however  barbed  and  well  pointed,  never  can 
reach  the  most  vulnerable  part  of  me;  though,  whilst  I  am  up  as  a  mark, 
they  will  be  continually  aimed.  The  publications  in  Freneau's  and  Bache's 
papers  *  are  outrages  on  common  decency ;  and  they  progress  in  that  style, 
in  proportion  as  their  pieces  are  treated  with  contempt,  and  are  passed  by 
in  silence,  by  those  at  whom  they  are  aimed." 

WEDNESDAY,  APKIL  24. 

At  Philadelphia:  "April  24. — After  dinner  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Barge  and  my  three  daughters  went  to  Rickett's  circus 
[Market  and  Twelfth  Streets].  General  Washington  and 
family  were  present." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

"  April  30. — Took  two  men  down  to  the  meadow  [below  the  city]  to  re 
pair  fence  and  gate-posts,  and  while  there  President  Washington  came  to 
see  his  mare  [on  pasture] . ' ' — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

SUNDAY,  MAY  5. 

At  Philadelphia :  "In  the  conversation  you  may  have 
with  a  certain  gentleman  [Viscount  de  Noailles]  to-day,  I 
pray  you  to  intimate  to  him  gently  and  delicately,  that,  if 
the  letters  or  papers,  which  he  has  to  present,  are,  know- 


*  The  National  Gazette  and  The  Aurora. 


1793]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  257 

ingly  to  him,  of  a  nature  which  relates  to  public  matters, 
and  not  particularly  addressed  to  me,  or  if  he  has  any  verbal 
communications  to  make  of  a  similar  kind,  I  had  rather 
they  should  come  through  the  proper  channel.  Add  thereto, 
generally,  that  the  peculiar  situation  of  European  affairs  at 
this  moment,  my  good  wishes  for  his  nation  aggregately,  my 
regard  for  those  of  it  in  particular,  with  whom  I  have  had 
the  honor  of  an  acquaintance,  my  anxious  desire  to  keep 
this  country  in  peace,  and  the  delicacy  of  my  situation, 
render  a  circumspect  conduct  indispensably  necessary  on  my 
part.''' —  Washington  to  Alexander  Hamilton. 

The  Viscount  de  Noailles,  who  married  a  sister  of  the  Marchioness  de 
Lafayette,  had  served  with  distinction  in  the  United  States  during  the  Rev- 
olution,  and  at  Yorktown  was  appointed,  in  conjunction  with  Colonel  John 
Laurens,  to  arrange  with  Lord  Cornwallis  the  details  of  the  capitulation. 
Having  engaged  with  enthusiasm  in  the  early  movements  of  the  French 
Revolution,  and  acted  a  conspicuous  part,  he  at  length  found  himself  in  a 
proscribed  party,  and  was  obliged  to  flee  from  his  country  to  escape  the 
rage  of  the  contending  factions.  He  passed  by  way  of  England  to  this 
country,  and  arrived  at  Philadelphia  on  May  3,  1793.  The  President  exer 
cised  much  caution  in  receiving  any  of  the  French  refugees,  as  is  indicated 
by  the  above-quoted  letter,  and  De  Noailles  with  others  never  saw  him  but 
in  public.  Louis  Marie,  Viscount  de  Noailles,  resided  for  some  time  in 
Philadelphia.  He  died  at  Havana,  Cuba,  January  9,  1804. 

FRIDAY,  MAY  17. 

At  Philadelphia :  Receives  an  address  from  the  mer 
chants  and  traders  of  Philadelphia,  expressing  the  high 
sense  they  entertained  of  the  wisdom  and  goodness  which 
dictated  the  late  proclamation  of  neutrality,  and  their  deter 
mination  to  pay  the  strictest  regard  to  it. 

To  this  address,  which  was  signed  by  about  three  hundred  of  the  princi 
pal  merchants  and  traders  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  the  President  made 
the  following  reply  :  "  Fully  persuaded  that  the  happiness  and  best  interests 
of  the  people  of  the  United  States  will  be  promoted  by  observing  a  strict 
neutrality  in  the  present  contest  among  the  powers  of  Europe,  it  gives  me 
pleasure  to  learn  that  the  measures  which  I  have  taken  to  declare  to  the 
world,  their  disposition  on  this  head,  has  given  general  satisfaction  to  the 
citizens  of  Pennsylvania.  The  friends  of  humanity  will  deprecate  war 


258  WASHINGTON  AFTER  THE  REVOLUTION.         [1793 

wherever  it  may  appear :  and  we  have  experienced  enough  of  its  evils  in 
this  country,  to  know,  that  it  should  not  be  wantonly  or  unnecessarily  en 
tered  upon.  I  trust,  therefore,  that  the  good  citizens  of  the  United  States 
will  shew  to  the  world,  that  they  have  as  much  wisdom  in  preserving  peace 
at  this  critical  juncture  as  they  have  heretofore  displayed  valour  in  defend 
ing  their  just  rights." 

SATUKDAY,  MAY  18. 

At  Philadelphia:  "May  20. — Last  Saturday  afternoon 
[May  18]  at  two  o'clock  Mr.  Genet,  being  introduced  by 
Mr.  Jefferson,  Secretary  of  State,  produced  his  credentials 
to  the  President;  he  was  received  and  acknowledged  as 
Minister  Plenipotentiary  from  the  Republic  of  France  to 
the  United  States  of  America." — Durilap's  American  Daily 
Advertiser. 

Edmund  Charles  Genet,  "  Citizen  Genet,"  who  succeeded  M.  Ternant  as 
minister  from  France  to  the  United  States,  arrived  at  Charleston,  South 
Carolina,  in  the  French  frigate  "  L'Embuscade,"  April  8,  1793,  and  was 
received  with  open  arms  by  the  citizens.  Bearing  secret  instructions  to 
foment  a  war  between  this  country  and  Great  Britain,  he  began  at  once  to 
fit  out  privateers  to  prey  on  British  commerce,  and  gave  authority  to  every 
French  consul  in  America  to  constitute  a  Court  of  Admiralty  to  dispose  of 
prizes  brought  into  American  ports  by  French  cruisers.  Genet  travelled  by 
land  to  Philadelphia,  where,  as  well  as  on  his  route,  his  reception  was  of 
the  most  enthusiastic  character;  and  although  momentarily  subdued  by  the 
calmness  and  dignity  of  the  President,  when  presenting  his  credentials,  he 
soon  resumed  his  former  attitude,  and  continued  his  violation  of  the  sov 
ereignty  of  the  United  States  by  commissioning  privateers.  When  re 
minded  of  this  offence  by  the  Secretary  of  State,  Genet  denied  the  doctrine 
of  neutrality  as  contrary  to  right,  justice,  and  the  laws  of  nations,  and 
threatened  to  appeal  from  the  President  to  the  people,  and  actually  under 
took  in  July  to  fit  out  a  privateer  at  Philadelphia  in  defiance  of  the  govern 
ment.  It  was  a  vessel  captured  by  "L'Embuscade,"  the  "Little  Sarah," 
named  by  him  "  Le  Petit  Democrat."  Matters  having  thus  reached  a  point 
where  forbearance  toward  the  insolent  French  minister  was  no  longer 
required  by  the  most  exacting  courtesy,  the  President  called  the  Cabinet 
.together  on  the  first  day  of  August,  when  it  was  decided  that  the  French 
government  should  be  requested  to  recall  its  minister,  because  he  was 
offensive  to  that  of  the  United  States.  This  was  acceded  to,  and  M.  Fauchet 
was  appointed  in  his  place,  who  arrived  in  February,  1794.  Mr.  Genet  did 
not  return  to  France,  and,  marrying  the  daughter  of  Governor  George 
Clinton,  became  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the  United  States.  He  was  twice 


1793]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  259 

married,  his   second  wife   being   a   daughter  of  Samuel   Osgood,  the   first 
Postmaster-General  under  the  Constitution. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  24. 

Leaves  Philadelphia:  "June  25. — Yesterday  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  left  this  city  on  a  visit  to  his  seat 
in  Mount  Vernon." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  30. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  expect  to  return  to  the  seat  of 
government  about  the  10th  of  next  month." — Washington 
to  Thomas  Jefferson. 

MONDAY,  JULY  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  The  very  polite  invitation  which 
you  have  given  me,  in  the  name  of  the  citizens  of  Alexan 
dria,  to  celebrate  with  them  the  approaching  anniversary  of 
American  Independence,  is  received  by  me  as  a  mark  of 
attention  meriting  my  warmest  thanks;  and  as  the  best 
proof  I  can  give  of  my  feelings  on  the  occasion  will  be  to 
accept  the  invitation,  I  shall  accordingly  have  the  pleasure 
of  meeting  them  at  Alexandria  on  the  4th  inst." —  Washing 
ton  to  the  Committee  on  Celebration. 

THUKSDAY,  JULY  4. 

At  Alexandria:  Participates  in  the  celebration  of  the 
day,  and  dines  with  the  citizens  of  Alexandria. 

"Alexandria,  July  11. — On  a  signal-gun  from  the  camp  of  captain  Han 
nah,  the  day  was  ushered  in  hy  15  rounds  from  two  12  pounders  under  the 
direction  of  Mr.  Isaac  Roberdeau — these  were  returned  by  15  from  the  camp. 
At  noon  15  from  a  six-pounder,  commanded  by  captain  Hannah,  were 
answered  by  15  from  the  12  pounders.  Then  divine  service  began  in  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  where  the  President  of  the  United  States 
attended,  and  a  discourse  suited  to  the  occasion  was  delivered  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Davis. 

"At  3  o'clock  the  company,  to  the  number  of  one  hundred  and  ten,  sat 
down  to  an  elegant  dinner  in  Mr.  Wise's  long  room.  .  .  .  The  President 
gave  the  toast  'Prosperity  to  the  town  of  Alexandria;'  and,  after  drinking 
the  health  of  the  company,  retired.  .  .  . 


260  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1793 

"  Words  cannot  express  the  happiness  of  the  company ;  which  was  in 
creased  by  beholding  the  pleasure  that  beamed  on  the  countenance  of  their 
illustrious  and  revered  neighbour.  His  extraordinary  talents  and  virtues 
had  contributed,  in  a  signal  manner,  to  the  attainment  of  that  blessing 
which  they  were  now  assembled  to  commemorate.  Him,  therefore  they 
could  not  but  contemplate,  in  some  sort,  as  the  Father  of  the  Feast — '  The 
feast  of  Reason  and  the  flow  of  Soul.'  " — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Adver 
tiser,  July  18. 

THURSDAY,  JULY  11. 

At  Philadelphia:  "July  12. — Yesterday  forenoon  the 
President  of  the  United  States  arrived  in  town  from  the 
Southward." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  My  journey  to  and  from  Mount  Vernon,  was  rapid,  and  as  short  as  I 
could  make  it.  It  was  occasioned  by  the  unexpected  death  of  Mr.  Whiting, 
my  manager,  at  a  critical  season  for  the  business  with  which  he  was  in 
trusted."  * — Washington  to  Henry  Lee,  July  21. 

SATURDAY,  JULY  13. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  July  13. — "Went  to  see  Mr.  Ricketts 
ride,  and  saw  there  the  President  and  his  lady." — Diary  of 
Jacob  Hillzheimer. 

"  July  16. — The  benefit  to  the  poor,  last  Saturday  [July  13],  by  Mr. 
Ricketts,  produced  430  dollars,  which  is  intended  as  a  beginning  for  estab 
lishing  a  Fund,  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Corporation,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  laying  in  Fire-  Wood,  to  be  distributed  in  the  winter  to  such  poor 
families  as  may  require  it.f  The  appearance  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  with  his  family,  amongst  his  fellow-citizens,  always  adds  to  the 
satisfaction  we  receive  from  those  innocent  public  amusements,  and  it  was 
rendered  particularly  agreeable  by  a  handsome  compliment,  very  genteely 

*  Anthony  Whiting  died  in  the  early  part  of  June.  He  was  succeeded 
as  manager  of  the  Mount  Vernon  farms  by  William  Pearce,  who  took 
charge  in  October. 

fThe  amount  realized  on  this  occasion,  with  an  additional  sum  of  two 
hundred  and  one  dollars  derived  from  a  performance  of  a  like  character  by 
Mr.  Ricketts,  on  the  19th  of  May,  1796,  now  forms,  together  with  other 
donations,  what  is  known  as  the  City  Fuel  Fund  of  six  thousand  seven 
hundred  dollars  principal,  the  interest  of  which  is  used  for  supplying  the 
deserving  poor  with  coal  during  the  winter. 


1793]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  261 

tho'  indirectly,  paid  by  Mr.  Ricketts,  who  being  obliged  in  the  middle  of 
the  performance  to  drink  a  glass  of  wine,  was  required  by  one  of  his  peo 
ple  to  give  a  toast ;  He  instantly  drank  off  a  bumper  to  the  health  of  The 
Man  of  the  People.  This  operated  like  electricity,  in  producing  a  general 
clap  of  applause,  accompanied  by  a  huzza  from  every  part  of  the  Circus." 
— Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  21. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  should  have  thanked  you  at  an 
earlier  period  for  your  obliging  letter  of  the  14th  ultimo, 
had  it  not  come  to  my  hands  a  day  or  two  only  before  I  set 
out  for  Mount  Vernon,  and  at  a  time  when  I  was  much 
hurried,  and  indeed,  very  much  perplexed  with  the  dis 
putes,  memorials,  and  what  not,  with  which  the  government 
were  pestered  by  one  or  the  other  of  the  petulant  repre 
sentatives  of  the  powers  at  war,  and  because,  since  my 
return  to  this  city,  nine  days  ago,  I  have  been  more  than 
ever  overwhelmed  with  their  complaints.  In  a  word,  the 
trouble  they  give  is  hardly  to  be  described." —  Washington  to 
Henry  Lee. 

MONDAY,  JULY  29. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  July  31. — Died  on  Sunday  last  [July 
28],  after  a  short  but  severe  illness,  universally  lamented, 
Mrs.  Mary  Lear — the  amiable  and  accomplished  wife  of 
TOBIAS  LEAR,  Esq.  Secretary  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States — and  on  Monday  her  Funeral  was  attended  by  a 
train  of  unaffected  mourners,  to  Christ  Church  burying 
ground,  where  her  remains  were  entombed ! 

"  Youth,  Beauty,  Virtue,  Loveliness  and  Grace,  in  vain 
would  soothe  '  the  dull  cold  ear  of  Death.'  " — Dunlap's 
American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  July  30. — We  have  lately  had  a  very  affecting  death  in  this  city.  Mrs. 
Lear,  the  wife  of  Mr.  Lear,  the  President's  Secretary,  died  on  Sunday  last, 
after  a  short  but  very  severe  illness.  She  was  only  23,  and  beloved  and  re 
spected  by  all  who  knew  her,  and  she  and  her  husband  had  been  fond  of 
each  other  from  infancy.  He  attended  the  funeral  himself,  and  so  did  the 
'President  and  Mrs.  Washington.  Mr.  Hamilton,  Mr.  Jefferson,  General 


262  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1793 

Knox,  Judge  Wilson,  Judge  Peters,  and  myself  were  pall-bearers." — James 
Iredell  *  to  Mrs.  Tredwell. 

THUKSDAY,  AUGUST  1. 

At  Philadelphia :  A  Cabinet  meeting  to  take  into  con 
sideration  the  conduct  of  M.  Genet,  and  what  course  should 
be  pursued  in  reference  thereto.  It  was  unanimously  agreed 
that  a  full  statement  of  his  actions  should  be  made  in  a 
letter  to  Gouverneur  Morris  (minister  to  France),  that  in 
the  letter  his  recall  should  be  required,  and  that  his  cor 
respondence  with  the  Secretary  of  State  should  be  com 
municated  through  Mr.  Morris  to  the  Executive  Council  of 
France.  It  was  also  taken  into  consideration  whether  a 
publication  of  the  whole  correspondence  and  a  statement 
of  the  proceedings  should  not  be  made  by  way  of  appeal 
to  the  people.  The  meeting  adjourned  without  coming  to 
any  conclusion  on  the  latter  proposition. 

August  2. — An  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Cabinet.  On  the  question  of 
the  appeal  to  the  people  coming  up,  Mr.  Jefferson,  after  referring  to  the  dis 
cussion  thereon,  and  giving  his  reasons  for  opposing  such  action,  makes  the 
following  statement  in  his  Anas:  "The  President  manifestly  inclined  to 
the  appeal  to  the  people.  Knox,  in  a  foolish  incoherent  sort  of  a  speech, 
introduced  the  pasquinade  lately  printed,  called  the  funeral  of  George 

W n,  and  James  "W n  [Judge  Wilson,  of  the  Supreme  Court],  King 

and  Judge,  &c.,  where  the  President  was  placed  on  a  guillotine.  The 
President  was  much  inflamed ;  got  into  one  of  those  passions  when  he 
cannot  command  himself;  ran  on  much  on  the  personal  abuse  which  had 
been  bestowed  on  him  ;  defied  any  man  on  earth  to  produce  one  single  act 
of  his  since  he  had  been  in  the  government  which  was  not  done  on  the 
purest  motives ;  that  he  had  never  repented  but  once  the  having  slipped 
the  moment  of  resigning  his  office,  and  that  was  every  moment  since ;  that 
by  God  he  had  rather  be  in  his  grave  than  in  his  present  situation  ;  that  he 
had  rather  be  on  his  farm  than  to  be  made  Emperor  of  the  world ;  and  yet 
that  they  were  charging  him  with  wanting  to  be  a  King.  That  that  rascal 
Freneau  sent  him  three  of  his  papers  every  day,  as  if  he  thought  he  would 
become  the  distributor  of  his  papers ;  that  he  could  see  in  this  nothing  but 
an  impudent  design  to  insult  him  :  he  ended  in  this  high  tone.  There  was 


*  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  from  Feb 
ruary  10,  1790,  until  his  death,  October  20,  1799. 


1790]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  263 

a  pause.  Some  difficulty  in  resuming  our  question  ;  it  was,  however,  after  a 
little  while,  presented  again,  and  he  said  there  seemed  to  be  no  necessity  for 
deciding  k  now  ;  the  propositions  before  agreed  on  might  be  put  into  a  train 
of  execution,  and  perhaps  events  would  show  whether  the  appeal  would  be 
necessary  or  not." 


MONDAY,  AUGUST  26. 

At  Philadelphia:  "I  expect  to  be  at  Mount  Vernon 
about  the  20th  of  next  Month  for  a  stay  of  8  or  10  days." 
—  Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  9. 

At  Philadelphia:  "I  think  it  would  not  be  prudent 
either  for  you,  or  the  clerks  in  your  office,  or  the  office 
itself,  to  be  too  much  exposed  to  the  malignant  fever,  which, 
by  well  authenticated  report,  is  spreading  through  the  city. 
The  means  to  avoid  it,  your  own  judgment  under  existing 
circumstances  must  dictate." —  Washington  to  Henry  Knox. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  10. 

Leaves  Philadelphia:  "September  11. — Yesterday  morning 
the  President  of  the  United  States  set  off  from  this  city  for 
Mount  Vernon." — Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  14. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "We  remained  in  Philadelphia  until 
the  10th  instant. — It  was  my  wish  to  have  continued  there 
longer ;  but  as  Mrs.  Washington  was  unwilling  to  leave  me 
surrounded  by  the  malignant  fever  which  prevailed,  I  could 
not  think  of  hazarding  her,  and  the  Children  any  longer 
by  my  continuance  in  the  City,  the  house  in  which  we  lived 
being,  in  a  manner  blockaded,  by  the  disorder,  and  was  be 
coming  every  day  more  and  more  fatal ;  I  therefore  came 
off  with  them  on  the  above  day  and  arrived  at  this  place 
the  14th,  without  incountering  the  least  accident  on  the 
road." —  Washington  to  Tobias  Lear,  September  25. 


264  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1793 

WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  18. 

At  Washington  City :  Takes  part  as  a  Mason  in  the  cere 
monies  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  of  the 
United  States.  The  stone  was  laid  at  the  southeast  corner 
of  the  edifice. 

"The  President  of  the  United  States,  the  Grand  Master  P.  T.  and  the 
Worshipful  Master  of  [Alexandria  Lodge]  No.  22  taking  their  stand  to 
the  east  of  a  large  stone,  and  all  the  Craft  forming  a  circle  westward,  stood 
a  short  time  in  awful  order.  The  artillery  discharged.  The  Grand  Marshal 
delivered  the  commissioners  [Thomas  Johnson,  David  Stuart,  and  Daniel 
Carroll]  a  large  silver  plate  with  an  inscription  thereon,  which  the  com 
missioners  ordered  to  be  read,  and  was  as  follows : 

"'This  Southeast  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  in  the  City  of  Washington,  was  laid  on  the  18th  day  of  Septem 
ber,  1793,  in  the  thirteenth  year  of  American  independence,  in  the  first 
year  of  the  second  term  of  the  presidency  of  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  whose 
virtues  in  the  civil  administration  of  his  country  have  been  as  conspicu 
ous  and  beneficial,  as  his  military  valor  and  prudence  have  been  useful  in 
establishing  her  liberties,  and  in  the  year  of  Masonry,  5793,  by  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  in  concert  with  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland, 
several  lodges  under  its  jurisdiction,  and  Lodge  No.  22  from  Alexandria, 
Virginia.' 

"  The  artillery  discharged  a  volley.  The  plate  was  then  delivered  to  the 
President,  who,  attended  by  the  Grand  Master  P.  T.  and  three  most  Wor 
shipful  Masters,  descended  to  the  cavazion  trench  and  deposed  the  plate, 
and  laid  it  on  the  corner-stone  of  the  Capitol  of  the  United  States  of  Amer 
ica,  on  which  was  deposed  Corn,  Wine,  and  Oil,  when  the  whole  congrega 
tion  joined  in  reverential  prayer,  which  was  succeeded  by  Masonic  chanting 
honors,  and  a  volley  from  the  artillery.  The  President  of  the  United  States 
and  his  attendant  brethren  ascended  from  the  cavazion  to  the  east  of  the 
corner-stone;  and  there  the  Grand  Master  P.  T.,  elevated  on  a  triple  ros 
trum,  delivered  an  oration  fitting  the  occasion,  which  was  received  with 
brotherly  love  and  commendation.  At  intervals,  during  the  delivery  of 
the  oration,  several  volleys  were  discharged  by  the  artillery.  The  ceremony 
ended  in  prayer,  Masonic  chanting  honors,  and  a  15-volley  from  the 
artillery. 

"  The  whole  company  retired  to  an  extensive  booth,  where  an  ox  of  500 
Ibs.  weight  was  barbecued,  of  which  the  company  generally  partook,  with 
every  abundance  of  other  recreation.  The  festival  concluded  with  fifteen 
successive  volleys  from  the  artillery,  whose  military  discipline  and  manoeu 
vres  merit  every  commendation.  Before  dark  the  whole  company  departed 
with  joyful  hopes  of  the  production  of  their  labor." — Georgetown,  Septem 
ber  21,  1793. 


1793]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  265 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  30. 

At  Mount  Yernon :  "  The  continuation  and  spreading  of 
the  malignant  fever,  with  which  the  city  of  Philadelphia  is 
visited,  together  with  the  absence  of  the  heads  of  depart 
ments  therefrom,  will  prolong  my  abode  at  this  place  until 
about  the  25th  of  October;  at  or  about  which  time,  I  shall 
myself,  if  the  then  state  of  things  should  render  it  improper 
for  me  to  take  my  family,  set  out  for  that  city,  or  the  vi 
cinity,  say  Germantown." — Washington  to  Edmund  Ran 
dolph. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  6. 

At  Mount  Yernon :  "  It  appearing  to  me  that  the  public 
business  will  require  the  executive  officers  to  be  together 
sometime  before  the  meeting  of  Congress,  I  have  written 
to  the  Secretaries  of  the  Treasury  and  War  to  meet  me  at 
Philadelphia  or  vicinity,  say  Germantown,  by  the  first  of 
November,  and  should  be  glad  to  see  you  there  at  the  same 
time." — Washington  to  Thomas  Jefferson. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  14. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  The  accounts  from  the  city  [of 
Philadelphia]  are  really  affecting.  Two  gentlemen  now 
here  from  New  York  (Colonels  Platt  and  Sergeant)  say, 
that  they  were  told  at  the  Swedes'  Ford  of  Schuylkill,  by  a 
person  who  had  it  from  the  Governor  (Mifflin),  that,  by  an 
official  report  from  the  mayor  of  the  city  [Matthew7  Clark- 
son],  upwards  of  three  thousand  and  five  hundred  had 
died,  and  the  disorder  was  raging  more  violently  than  ever." 
—  Washington  to  James  Madison. 

The  yellow  fever  of  1793,  the  spread  of  which  was  due  to  the  neglect  of 
sanitary  precautions  in  its  early  stages,  was  most  disastrous  in  its  conse 
quences.  The  fever  first  made  its  appearance  in  a  lodging-house  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  city  in  July,  but  it  was  not  until  the  middle  of  August 
that  its  progress  began  to  attract  attention,  and  about  the  25th  of  the  month 
a  general  exodus  of  the  population  commenced.  The  epidemic  lasted  from 


266  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1793 

the  1st  of  August  to  the  9th  of  November,  during  which  period  the  number 
of  deaths  was  over  four  thousand. 

WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBER  23. 

At  Mount  Vernou :  "  I  shall  set  out,  so  as  to  be  in  Ger- 
mantown  or  thereabouts  on  the  1st  of  November,  if  no  dif 
ficulties  should  be  encountered  on  the  road.  ...  It  is  not 
in  my  power  to  despatch  a  servant  before  me.  I  shall  have 
but  two,  neither  of  whom  can  be  spared  for  such  a  purpose. 
These,  with  five  horses,  Mr.  Dandridge,  and  myself,  form 
the  total  of  my  family  and  equipage." — Washington  to  Ed 
mund  Randolph, 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  Tomorrow  I  leave  this  for  Phila- 
delpa  or  the  vicinity  of  it ;  where,  when  you  have  occasion 
to  write  to  me,  direct  your  letters." —  Washington  to  William 

Pearce. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  1. 

At  Germantown :  "  Germantown,  November  2. — I  over 
took  the  President  at  Baltimore,  and  we  arrived  here  yes 
terday.  .  .  .  The  fever  in  Philadelphia  has  so  much  abated 
as  to  have  almost  disappeared.  The  inhabitants  are  about 
returning."  -Thomas  Jefferson  to  James  Madison. 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  3. 

At  Germantown :  "  I  will  mention  a  proverb  to  you 
which  you  will  find  worthy  of  attention  all  the  days  of 
your  life ;  under  any  circumstances,  or  in  any  situation  you 
may  happen  to  be  placed ; — and  that  is,  to  put  nothing  off 
'till  the  Morrow,  that  you  can  do  to  day." — Washington  to 
Howell  Lewis. 

WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  6. 

At  Germantown  :  Receives  a  communication  from  Henry 
Hill  and  others,  Trustees  of  "  The  Public  School  at  Ger- 


1793]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  267 

mantown,"  tendering  the  school  buildings  for  the  accom 
modation  of  Congress  should  it  convene  at  that  place. 

"The  Public  School  at  Germantown,"  incorporated  in  1784,  was  on  the 
south  side  of  School  Lane,  a  short  distance  west  of  the  main  street.  The 
building,  erected  in  1760-61  is  still  standing  and  used  for  its  original  pur 
poses.  It  is  now  known  as  the  Germantown  Academy,  and  is  in  good  repute 
as  an  educational  institution.  The  plan  of  education  embraces  all  the 
studies  necessary  to  prepare  young  men  to  enter  the  sophomore  class  at  col 
lege.  Congress  did  not  accept  the  offer  of  the  Trustees,  but  convened  at 
Philadelphia  on  Monday,  December  2,  all  danger  from  the  yellow  fever 
having  by  that  time  been  dispelled. 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  24. 

At  Germantown  :  "  The  malady  with  which  Philadelphia 
has  been  sorely  afflicted,  has,  it  is  said,  entirely  ceased ; — 
and  all  the  Citizens  are  returning  to  their  old  habitations 
again. — I  took  a  house  in  this  town  when  I  first  arrived 
here,  and  shall  retain  it  until  Congress  get  themselves 
fixed ;  *  although  I  spend  part  of  my  time  in  the  city." — 
Washington  to  Colonel  Burgess  Ball. 

The  house  in  Germantown  at  which  the  President  lived  in  the  month  of 
November,  1793,f  is  still  standing,  on  the  west  side  of  the  main  street,  now 
known  as  Germantown  Avenue,  in  the  Twenty-second  Ward  of  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  and  about  six  miles  northwest  of  Independence  Hall.  The 
house — a  substantial  stone  structure  about  forty  feet  square,  with  consid 
erable  back  buildings,  and  numbered  5442 — is  directly  opposite  Mill  Street 
(formerly  Church  Lane),  and  faces  an  open  area  which  until  recent  years 
was  known  as  Market  Square.  It  was  erected  in  1772,  and  at  the  time  of 
its  being  occupied  by  Washington  was  owned  by  Colonel  Isaac  Franks,  of 

*  "  Germantown,  November  27. — The  President  will  be  established  [in 
Philadelphia]  in  about  a  week,  at  which  time  Congress  is  to  meet." — 
Thomas  Jefferson  to  Mr.  Pinckney. 

•}•  In  Rupp's  History  of  Berks  County,  Pennsylvania,  it  is  stated  that 
General  Washington  stayed  all  night,  the  13th  of  November,  1793,  at 
Womelsdorf  (fourteen  miles  west  of  Reading),  and  that  the  inhabitants 
delivered  him  an  address,  which  he  answered.  "  A  company  of  volunteers 
assembled,  and  amidst  repeated  firing  of  guns,  near  the  door  of  the  house 
in  which  he  lodged,  exclaimed,  '  Lang  lebe  George  Washington  I  Lang  lebe 
George  Washington  ! !'  " 


268  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1793 

the  Army  of  the  Revolution.  It  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Elliston 
Perot  Morris,  a  great-grandson  of  Samuel  Morris,  captain  of  the  First  City 
Troop,  1776-86.  Mr.  Morris  is  the  fortunate  owner  of  the  letter  written  by 
General  Washington  to  Captain  Morris,  dated  Morristown,  January  23, 
1777,  in  which  he  thanks  the  "  Captain  and  Gentlemen"  of  the  Troop  for 
the  many  essential  services  which  they  had  rendered  to  their  country  and  to 
him  personally  during  the  course  of  the  campaign  which  ended  at  Princeton 
on  January  3. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  3. 

At  Philadelphia:  Addresses  both  Houses  of  Congress 
in  the  Senate  Chamber.  "  Exactly  at  12  o'clock  the  Presi 
dent  arrived,  accompanied  by  the  Secretary  of  State,  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  the  Secretary  at  War,  and  the 
Attorney  General  &c  and  in  the  presence  of  a  large  assem 
blage  of  citizens  and  foreigners  delivered  to  both  Houses 
his  address."  * 

The  state  of  affairs,  both  external  and  internal,  was  largely  explained  in 
the  President's  speech  and  in  a  separate  message  accompanied  with  many 
documents.  In  these  were  comprised  the  reasons  for  the  course  he  had 
pursued  respecting  foreign  powers,  and  suggestions  for  additional  legislative 
enactments  to  protect  the  rights  of  American  citizens  and  maintain  the 
dignity  of  the  country.  It  was  in  allusion  to  these  communications  to 
Congress  that  Mr.  Fox  made  the  following  remarks  in  the  British  Parlia 
ment,  January  31,  1794:  "And  here,  Sir,  I  cannot  help  alluding  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  General  Washington,  a  character  whose 
conduct  has  been  so  different  from  that  which  has  been  pursued  by  the 
ministers  of  this  country.  How  infinitely  wiser  must  appear  the  spirit  and 
principles  manifested  in  his  late  address  to  Congress,  than  the  policy  of 
modern  European  courts  !  Illustrious  man,  deriving  honor  less  from  the 
splendor  of  his  situation  than  from  the  dignity  of  his  mind ;  before  whom 
all  borrowed  greatness  sinks  into  insignificance,  and  all  the  potentates  of 
Europe  (excepting  the  members  of  our  own  royal  family)  become  little  and 
contemptible !  He  has  had  no  occasion  to  have  recourse  to  any  tricks  of 
policy  or  arts  of  alarm  ;  his  authority  has  been  sufficiently  supported  by 
the  same  means  by  which  it  was  acquired,  and  his  conduct  has  uniformly 
been  characterized  by  wisdom,  moderation,  and  firmness.  Feeling  grati 
tude  to  France  for  the  assistance  received  from  her  in  that  great  contest, 
which  secured  the  independence  of  America,  he  did  not  choose  to  give  up 
the  system  of  neutrality.  Having  once  laid  down  that  line  of  conduct, 

*  Dunlap's  American  Daily  Advertiser,  December  4. 


1793]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  269 

which  both  gratitude  and  policy  pointed  out  as  most  proper  to  be  pursued, 
not  all  the  insults  and  provocation  of  the  French  minister  Genet  could 
turn  him  from  his  purpose.  Intrusted  with  the  welfare  of  a  great  people, 
he  did  not  allow  the  misconduct  of  another,  with  respect  to  himself,  for  one 
moment  to  withdraw  his  attention  from  their  interest.  He  had  no  fear  of 
the  Jacobins,  he  felt  no  alarm  from  their  principles,  and  considered  no  pre 
caution  as  necessary  in  order  to  stop  their  progress." 

SATUKDAY,  DECEMBER  7. 

At  Philadelphia :  Receives  from  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives,  through  the  committee,  Messrs.  Madison, 
Sedgwick,  and  Hartley,  an  answer  to  his  address  of  De 
cember  3. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  10. 

At  Philadelphia:  Is  waited  on  by  the  Senate,  and  the 
Vice-President,  in  its  name,  presents  him  with  an  answer 
to  his  address. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  12. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  All  my  landed  property,  east  of  the 
Apalachian  mountains,  is  under  Rent,  except  the  estate 
called  Mount  Vernon.  This,  hitherto,  I  have  kept  in  my 
own  hands :  but  from  my  present  situation,  from  my  ad 
vanced  time  of  life,  from  a  wish  to  live  free  from  care,  and 
as  much  at  my  ease  as  possible,  during  the  remainder  of  it, 
and  from  other  causes,  which  are  not  necessary  to  detail,  I 
have,  latterly,  entertained  serious  thoughts  of  letting  this 
estate  also,  reserving  the  mansion-house  farm  for  my  own 
residence,  occupation,  and  amusement  in  agriculture;  pro 
vided  I  can  obtain  what,  in  my  own  judgment,  and  in  the 
opinion  of  others  whom  I  have  consulted,  the  low  rent 
which  I  shall  mention  hereafter ;  and  provided  also  I  can 
settle  it  with  good  farmers." — Washington  to  Arthur  Young. 

Extract  from  the  above-quoted  letter:  "No  estate  in  United  America  is 
more  pleasantly  situated  than  this.  It  lies  in  a  high,  dry  and  healthy  coun 
try,  300  miles  by  water  from  the  sea,  and,  as  you  will  see  by  the  plan,  on 
one  of  the  finest  rivers  in  the  world.  Its  margin  is  washed  by  more  than 


270  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1793 

ten  miles  of  tide- water ;  from  the  bed  of  which  and  the  innumerable  coves, 
inlets,  and  small  marshes,  with  which  it  abounds,  an  inexaustible  fund  of 
rich  mud  may  be  drawn,  as  a  manure,  either  to  be  used  separately,  or  in  a 
compost,  according  to  the  judgment  of  the  farmer.  It  is  situated  in  a 
latitude  between  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  and  is  the  same  distance  by 
land  and  water,  with  good  roads,  and  the  best  navigation  (to  and)  from 
the  Federal  City,  Alexandria,  and  George-Town  ;  distant  from  the  first, 
twelve,  from  the  second  nine,  and  from  the  last  sixteen  miles.  The  Fed 
eral  City,  in  the  year  1800,  will  become  the  seat  of  the  general  government 
of  the  United  States.  It  is  increasing  fast  in  buildings,  and  rising  into 
consequence  ;  and  will  I  have  no  doubt,  from  the  advantages  given  to  it  by 
Nature,  and  its  proximity  to  a  rich  interior  country,  and  the  western  terri 
tory,  become  the  emporium  of  the  United  States.  .  .  .  This  river,  which 
encompasses  the  land  the  distance  above-mentioned,  is  well  supplied  with 
various  kinds  of  fish,  at  all  seasons  of  the  year ;  and,  in  the  spring,  with  the 
greatest  profusion  of  shad,  herrings,  bass,  carp,  perch,  sturgeon  &c.  Several 
valuable  fisheries  appertain  to  the  estate  ;  the  whole  shore,  in  short,  is  one 
entire  fishery.  There  are,  as  you  will  perceive  by  the  plan,  four  farms 
besides  that  at  the  mansion-house :  these  four  contain  3260  acres  of  culti 
vable  land." 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBEE  31. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  It  has  been  my  intention  ever  since 
my  return  to  the  city,  to  contribute  my  mite  towards  the 
relief  of  the  most  needy  inhabitants  of  it.  The  pressure  of 
public  business  hitherto  has  suspended,  but  not  altered  my 
resolution.  I  am  at  a  loss,  however,  for  whose  benefit  to 
apply  the  little  I  can  give  and  in  whose  hands  to  place 
it  ...  and  therefore  have  taken  the  liberty  of  asking 
your  advice." — Washington  to  William  White,  Bishop  of 
Pennsylvania. 


1794- 


WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  1. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  January  6. — On  Wednesday  last 
[January  1],  New  Year's  day — Members  of  both  Houses 
of  Congress — Heads  of  Departments — Foreign  Ministers — 
Members  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati — Officers  of  the 
Militia,  &c.,  waited  on  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
to  offer  him  the  compliments  of  the  Season." — Dunlap  and 
Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  9. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  The  news  of  this  evening  is,  that  the 
Queen  of  France  is  no  more.*  When  will  the  savages  be 
satiated  with  blood  ?  ~No  prospect  of  peace  in  Europe,  and 
therefore  none  of  internal  harmony  in  America.  We  cannot 
well  be  in  a  more  disagreeable  situation  than  we  are  with 
all  Europe,  with  all  Indians,  and  with  all  Barbary  rovers. 
Nearly  one  half  the  continent  is  in  constant  opposition  to 
the  other,  and  the  President's  situation,  which  is  highly 
responsible,  is  very  distressing.  He  made  me  a  very  friendly 
visit  yesterday,  which  I  returned  to-day,  and  had  two  hours' 
conversation  with  him  alone  in  his  cabinet." — John  Adams 
to  Mrs.  Adams,  January  9. 

SATURDAY,  FEBRUARY  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  24. — Saturday  [February 
22],  being  the  anniversary  of  that  auspicious  event  the 
birth  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the  same  was 
observed  here  with  unusual  demonstrations  of  joy." — Dun- 
lap  and  Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 


*  Marie  Antoinette  was  executed  October  16,  1793. 

271 


272  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1794 

"A  Federal  Salute  ushered  in  the  dawn,  and  the  bells  of  Christ  Church 
rang  peals  at  intervals  through  the  day.  At  noon  the  Members  of  both 
Houses  of  Congress — the  Heads  of  Departments — the  Foreign  Ministers — 
his  brother  veterans,  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati — the  Governor,  Civil 
and  Military  Officers  of  this  Com-monwealth — the  Reverend  Clergy — the 
Faculty  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania — and  a  great  assemblage  of 
other  citizens,  waited  on  the  President  at  his  house  to  pay  him  their 
respects  and  congratulations. 

"  The  Light  Horse,  Artillery,  &  Light  Infantry,  which  paraded  in  honor 
of  the  day,  were  more  numerous  than  on  any  recent  occasion — and  their 
truly  soldier-like  appearance  merits  the  highest  approbation.  Repeated 
federal  salutes  were  fired  in  the  course  of  the  day,  by  the  artillery  in  High 
Street.  The  field  officers  of  the  militia  were  dressed  in  new  and  elegant 
uniforms  on  this  occasion.  The  general  joy  and  hilarity  evinced  this  day, 
indicate  that  the  purest  republican  principles  actuate  the  public  mind.  The 
President  enters  into  the  63d  year  of  his  age. 

"  The  Managers  of  the  City  Dancing  Assembly  gave  a  Ball  in  the  even 
ing.  They  were  honored  with  the  company  of  the  President  and  Mrs.  Wash 
ington,  several  of  the  Foreign  Ministers,  a  number  of  the  members  of 
Congress,  the  Secretaries  of  the  treasury  and  of  war,  the  Governors  of  the 
State  and  of  the  Western  Territory,  and  the  most  brilliant  display  of 
beauty,  perhaps,  ever  exhibited  in  this  city.  The  countenances  of  all 
present  appeared  perfectly  congenial  with  the  happy  occasion." — Idem. 

"  Saturday  last  [February  22]  M.  Fauchet,  the  new  Minister  from  France, 
was  introduced  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  by  Mr.  Randolph, 
Secretary  of  State."* — Idem. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  24. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  Enclosed  you  will  find  three  Bank 
notes  for  one  hundred  dollars  each ;  out  of  which  pay  the 
Revd.  Mr.  Muir  of  Alexandria  Fifty  pounds,  and  take  his 
signature  to  the  enclosed  receipt." —  Washington  to  William 
Pearce. 

This  was  an  annual  subscription  to  the  Orphan  School  under  the  care  of 
the  Rev.  James  Muir,  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Alexandria. 
The  following  item  in  Washington's  will  refers  to  this  school :  "  To  the 
Trustees  (Governors  or  by  whatsoever  other  name  they  may  be  designated) 
of  the  Academy  in  the  Town  of  Alexandria,  I  give  and  bequeath,  in  Trust, 

*  Edmund  Randolph  was  appointed  Secretary  of  State  on  the  second  of 
January  as  successor  to  Thomas  Jefferson,  who  had  resigned  from  the  office 
December  31,  1793.  The  place  of  Mr.  Randolph  as  Attorney-General  was 
supplied  by  William  Bradford,  of  Pennsylvania. 


1794]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  273 

Four  thousand  dollars,  or  in  other  words  twenty  of  the  shares  which  I  hold 
in  the  Bank  of  Alexandria  toward  the  support  of  a  Free  School,  established 
at,  and  annexed  to  the  said  Academy  for  the  purpose  of  educating  such 
orphan  children,  or  the  children  of  such  other  poor  and  indigent  persons  as 
are  unable  to  accomplish  it  with  their  own  means,  and  who  in  the  judgment 
of  the  trustees  of  the  said  Seminary,  are  best  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  this 
donation.  .  .  .  And  to  prevent  misconception,  my  meaning  is,  and  is  hereby 
declared  to  be  that,  these  twenty  shares  are  in  lieu  of  and  not  in  addition  to 
the  Thousand  pounds  given  by  a  missive  letter  some  years  ago  [December 
17,  1785]  in  consequence  whereof  an  annuity  of  fifty  pounds  has  since  been 
paid  toward  the  support  of  that  institution." 

SUNDAY,  MAKCH  2. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  The  Price  of  Midlings  and  Ship  stuff 
in  Alexandria  is  greatly  below  the  selling  price  in  this 
market ;  especially  the  first,  which  is  5 J  dollars  the  barrel 
of  196  Ibs — and  the  latter,  from  a  dollar  and  half  to  two 
dollars  pr.  hundred — but  as  these  articles  never  are  so  high 
there  as  here,  you  must  enquire  the  most  favorable  season 
to  dispose  of  them,  and  do  it  to  the  best  advantage. — Keep 
me  informed  from  time  to  time  of  the  prices  of  Superfine 
and  fine  flour,  that  I  may  know  when  to  strike  for  mine ; — 
and  ask  the  Miller  why  he  does  not,  as  usual,  note  in  his 
weekly  returns  the  number  of  barrels  he  has  packed  of  all 
the  different  kinds." — Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

SUNDAY,  MAKCH  23. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  Mr.  Smith  has,  I  believe,  been  fur 
nished  with  fish  from  my  landing,  and  if  he  will  give  as 
much  as  another,  ought  to  have  the  preference ; — but  before 
you  positively  engage,  enquire  what  the  other  fisheries  are 
disposed  to  sell  at. — 4/.  pr.  thousand  for  Herrings,  and  10/.  pr. 
hundred  for  shad  is  very  low. — I  am,  at  this  moment,  paying 
6/.  a  piece  for  every  shad  I  buy." — Washington  to  William 
Pearce. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  30. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  am  sorry  to  hear  your  drilled  and 
other  wheat,  makes  but  an  indifferent  appearance.  —  I 

18 


274  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1794 

was  in  hopes  such  extreame  fine  weather  as  we  have  had 
during  the  whole  month  of  March  would  have  occasioned 
a  pleasing  change  in  both. — As  grain  puts  on  different 
looks  at  this  season,  according  as  the  weather,  while  grow 
ing,  happens  to  be,  let  me  know  from  time  to  time  how 
mine  comes  on. — If  it  stands  thick  enough  on  the  ground, 
such  uncommon  mildness  and  warmth  as  we  have  had 
since  February,  must  have  recovered  that  Crop  greatly, 
as  well  as  the  Winter  Barley." — Washington  to  William 
Pearce. 

The  letters  from  which  the  last  three  quotations  are  made  form  part  of  a 
series  of  one  hundred  and  sixteen,  written  by  Washington  to  William  Pearce, 
manager  of  the  Mount  Vernon  farms  from  October,  1793,  to  January,  1797. 
The  originals  are  in  the  possession  of  the  Long  Island  Historical  Society,  and 
were  published  in  1889,  with  an  historical  and  genealogical  introduction  and 
notes  by  Moncure  Daniel  Conway,  being  volume  iv.  of  the  Memoirs  of  that 
society.  The  letters  quoted,  it  will  be  perceived,  were  all  written  on  Sunday, 
and,  with  but  few  exceptions,  this  is  the  case  with  the  entire  series,  it  having 
been  the  custom  of  the  President  to  devote  the  afternoon  of  that  day  to  his 
private  correspondence. 

Upon  a  careful  perusal  of  the  letters  comprising  the  series,  we  find  that 
the  smallest  as  well  as  the  most  important  matters  connected  with  his  Mount 
Vernon  interests  are  noted  with  a  detail  almost  painfully  minute.  Letter 
after  letter,  many  of  them  of  considerable  length,  devoted  to  instructions  as 
to  building,  labor,  crops,  and,  in  brief,  everything  pertaining  to  the  manage 
ment  of  a  large  landed  estate ;  disclosing  an  ability  for  the  supervision  of 
business  by  an  absentee  that  would  be  remarkable  hud  the  writer  been 
entirely  free  from  responsibility  other  than  the  proper  conduct  of  his  own 
affairs.  And  when  we  reflect  that  these  letters  were  written  during  the  most 
trying  and  exacting  period  of  Washington's  life,  we  may  well  be  impressed 
with  the  extraordinary  qualities  of  a  mind  which  could  thus  calmly  with 
draw  from  the  engrossing  consideration  of  matters  of  state,  the  harassing 
care  of  great  office,  to  devote  itself,  with  unfailing  regularity,  to  the  accu 
rate  and  voluminous  direction  of  private  affairs,  of  which  these  letters  are  a 
most  striking  proof. 

Truly  a  remarkable  record  of  a  remarkable  mind ! 

SUNDAY,  APKIL  6. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  had  no  doubt  but  that  the  late  cap 
ture  of  our  Vessels  by  the  British  Cruisers,  followed  by  the 


1794]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  275 

Embargo  *  which  had  been  laid  on  the  Shipping  in  our 
Ports,  wd  naturally  occasion  a  temporary  fall  in  the  article 
of  provisions ; — yet,  as  there  are  the  same  mouths  to  feed 
as  before ; — as  the  demand,  consequently,  will  be  as  great ; 
and  as  the  Crops  in  other  parts  of  the  world  will  not  be 
increased  by  these  means,  I  have  no  doubt  at  all,  but  that, 
as  soon  as  the  present  impediments  are  removed  the  prices 
of  flour  will  rise  to  what  it  has  been  (at  least)  for  which 
reason  hold  mine  up  to  the  prices  mentioned  in  my  last; 
and  if  they  are  offered,  make  a  provisory  agreement,  to  be 
ratified,  or  not,  by  me; — an  answer  to  which  can  be  obtained 
in  a  week." —  Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

TUESDAY,  APEIL  8. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  April  9. — I  arrived  here  [Philadel 
phia]  on  Monday  evening ;  and  yesterday  dined  with  the 
President.  The  question  of  war  or  peace  seems  to  be  as 
much  in  suspense  here  as  in  New  York  when  I  left  you. 
I  am  rather  inclined  to  think  that  peace  will  continue,  but 
should  not  be  surprised  if  war  should  take  place.  In  the 
present  state  of  things,  it  will  be  best  to  be  ready  for  the 
latter  event  in  every  respect." — John  Jay  to  Mrs.  Jay. 

TUESDAY,  APRIL  15. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  Let  me  know  whether  the  message, 
which  in  the  evening  of  yesterday  I  requested  you  to  draw, 
will  be  ready  by  eleven  o'clock  this  forenoon  ?" —  Washing 
ton  to  Edmund  Randolph. 

This  message  was  the  one  in  which  Mr.  Jay  was  nominated  to  the 
Senate  as  envoy  extraordinary  to  England.  The  message,  which  was  sent 

*  Congress,  in  retaliation  for  the  "Provision  Order"  of  the  British  Coun 
cil  of  November  6,  1793,  which  directed  the  seizure  of  all  vessels  carrying 
food  products  to  France,  passed  (March  26,  1794)  a  joint  resolution  laying 
an  embargo  on  commerce  for  thirty  days.  The  measure  seemed  to  have 
chiefly  in  view  the  obstructing  the  supply  of  provisions  for  the  British 
fleet  and  army  in  the  West  Indies.  It  operated  quite  as  much  against  the 
French. 


276  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1794 

in  the  next  day,  April  16,  is  as  follows:  "Gentlemen  of  the  Senate;  The 
communications  which  I  have  made  to  you  during  your  present  session, 
from  the  despatches  of  our  minister  in  London  [Thomas  Pinckney],  contain 
a  serious  aspect  of  our  affairs  with  Great  Britain.  But,  as  peace  ought  to 
be  pursued  with  unremitted  zeal,  before  the  last  resource,  which  has  so 
often  been  the  scourge  of  nations,  and  cannot  fail  to  check  the  advanced 
prosperity  of  the  United  States,  is  contemplated ;  I  have  thought  proper  to 
nominate,  and  do  hereby  nominate,  John  Jay,  as  envoy  extraordinary  of 
the  United  States  to  his  Britannic  Majesty." 

The  nomination  of  Mr.  Jay,  which  was  confirmed  April  19,  was  made 
in  consequence  of  a  motion  introduced  in  the  House  of  ^Representatives 
(April  7)  that  all  commercial  intercourse  with  Great  Britain  and  her  sub 
jects  be  suspended  so  far  as  respected  all  articles  of  the  growth  or  manu 
facture  of  Great  Britain  or  Ireland,  until  the  surrender  of  the  frontier  posts, 
etc.  This  motion,  if  adopted,  would  have  led  directly  to  war. 

FRIDAY,  APKIL  25. 

At  Philadelphia :  "April  26. — Yesterday  about  11  o'clock, 
the  President,  accompanied  by  the  Governor,  the  Secretary 
of  State,  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  a  number  of  respectable 
citizens,  went  down  the  river  in  one  of  the  New  Castle 
packets,  to  Fort  Mifflin  and  other  places  on  the  banks  of 
the  Delaware." — Dunlap  and  Claypoole's  American  Daily 
Advertiser. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  6. 

At  Philadelphia:  "To  tell  you  that  the  order  of  his 
Britannic  Majesty  in  council,  of  the  8th  of  June  last,  respect 
ing  neutral  vessels,  had  given  much  discontent  in  the  United 
States,  and  that  that  of  the  6th  of  November  and  its  result 
had  thrown  them  into  a  flame,  will  hardly  be  news  to  you 
when  you  shall  receive  this  letter.  The  subsequent  order 
of  the  8th  of  January  has  in  a  degree  allayed  the  violence 
of  the  heat,  but  will  by  no  means  satisfy  them  without 
reparation  for  the  spoliations  on  our  trade,  and  the  injuries 
we  sustain  from  the  non-performance  of  the  treaty  of  peace. 
To  effect  these  if  possible  by  temperate  means,  by  fair  and 
firm  negotiations,  an  envoy  extraordinary  is  appointed,  and 
will,  I  expect,  sail  in  a  few  days.  Mr.  Jay  is  chosen  for  the 


1794]          WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  277 

trust.     Mr.  John  Trumbull  goes  as  his  private  Secretary." 
—  Washington  to  Tobias  Lear. 

The  order  of  the  British  Council  of  the  8th  of  June,  1793,  directed  that 
armed  vessels  should  arrest  and  send  into  port  vessels  loaded  with  corn  or 
meal  or  flour  destined  for  France,  and  all  neutral  vessels,  save  those  of 
Denmark  and  Sweden,  which  should  attempt  to  enter  any  blockaded  port. 
The  order  of  the  6th  of  November,  which  was  partially  revoked  by  that  of 
the  8th  of  January,  1794,  directed  English  vessels  to  seize  and  bring  to 
British  ports  "  all  ships  laden  with  goods  the  produce  of  any  colony  belong 
ing  to  France,  or  carrying  provisions  or  other  supplies  for  the  use  of  any 
such  colony. ' ' 

FKIDAY,  JUNE  6. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  June  6. — I  had  the  honor  of  an  inter 
view  with  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to  whom  I 
was  introduced  by  Mr.  Dandridge,  his  secretary.  He  re 
ceived  me  very  politely,  and  after  reading  my  letters,  I 
was  asked  to  breakfast." — HENRY  WANSEY,  Excursion  to  the 
United  States  in  1794. 

"The  President,  in  his  person,  is  tall  and  thin,  but  erect;  rather  of  an 
engaging  than  a  dignified  presence.  He  appears  very  thoughtful,  is  slow 
in  delivering  himself,  which  occasions  some  to  conclude  him  reserved,  but 
it  is  rather,  I  apprehend,  the  effect  of  much  thinking  and  reflection,  for 
there  is  great  appearance  to  me  of  affability  and  accommodation.  He  was 
at  this  time  in  his  sixty-third  year,  being  born  February  11,  1732,  O.S., 
but  he  has  very  little  the  appearance  of  age,  having  been  all  his  life-time  so 
exceeding  temperate.  There  is  a  certain  anxiety  visible  in  his  countenance 
with  marks  of  extreme  sensibility.  .  .  . 

"  Mrs.  Washington  herself  made  tea  and  coffee  for  us.  On  the  table  were 
two  small  plates  of  sliced  tongue,  dry  toast,  bread  and  butter,  &c.  but  no 
broiled  fish,  as  is  the  general  custom.  Miss  Custis  her  grand-daughter,  a 
very  pleasing  young  lady,  of  about  sixteen,  sat  next  to  her,  and  her  brother 
George  Washington  Custis,  about  two  years  older  than  herself.*  There  was 
but  little  appearance  of  form:  one  servant  only  attended,  who  had  no 
livery ;  a  silver  urn  for  hot  water,  was  the  only  article  of  expence  on  the 
table.  She  appears  something  older  than  the  President,  though,  I  under- 


*  This  is  an  error.    George  Washington  Parke  Custis  was  two  years  younger 
than  his  sister  Nelly. 


278  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1794 

stand,  they  were  both  born  in  the  same  year  ;*  short  in  stature,  rather  robust ; 
very  plain  in  her  dress,  wearing  a  very  plain  cap,  with  her  grey  hair  closely 
turned  up  under  it.  She  has  routs  or  levees  (whichever  the  people  chuses 
to  call  them)  every  Wednesday  and  Saturday  at  Philadelphia,  during  the 
sitting  of  Congress,  f  But  the  Anti-federalists  object  even  to  these,  as  tend 
ing  to  give  a  super-eminency,  and  introductory  to  the  paraphernalia  of 
courts. ' '— W  ANSET. 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  15. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  If  nothing,  unforseen  by  me  at  pres 
ent,  intervenes  to  prevent  it,  I  shall  leave  this  city  for 
Mount  Vernon  the  day  after  tomorrow;  (tuesday)  but  as 
the  weather  is  warm,  my  horses  fat  and  out  of  exercise,  and 
I  may  have  occasion  to  stop  a  day  on  the  road,  it  is  not 
probable  I  shall  reach  home  before  Sunday  or  Monday 
next." — Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

TUESDAY,  JUNE  17. 

Leaves  Philadelphia :  "  June  19. — The  President  left  this 
city  on  Tuesday  [June  17],  on  a  visit  to  his  seat  in  Vir 
ginia." — Dunlap  and  Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  Baltimore,  June  19. — At  five  o'clock  this  afternoon  I  reached  this 
place,  and  shall  proceed  in  the  morning." — Washington  to  Edmund  Randolph. 

WEDNESDAY,  JUNE  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "I  shall  endeavour  to  be  back  by  the 
time  I  allotted  before  I  left  Philadelphia,  if  I  am  able ;  but 
an  exertion  to  save  myself  and  horse  from  falling  among 
the  rocks  at  the  Lower  Falls  of  the  Potomac,  whither  I 
went  on  Sunday  morning  [June  22]  to  see  the  canal  and 
locks,  has  wrenched  my  back  in  such  a  manner  as  to  pre 
vent  my  riding ;  and  hitherto  has  defeated  the  purposes  for 
which  I  came  home.  My  stay  here  will  only  be  until  I  can 
ride  with  ease  and  safety,  whether  I  accomplish  my  own 
business  or  not." — Washington  to  Edmund  Randolph. 


*  Mrs.  Washington  was  born  June  21,  1731.     ("  Martha  Washington,"  by 
Anne  H.  Wharton,  page  3.) 
f  The  levees  of  Mrs.  Washington  were  held  every  Friday  evening. 


1794]          WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  279 

MONDAY,  JUNE  30. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  expect  to  leave  this  place  on 
Thursday  [July  3]  for  Philadelphia ;  and  if,  upon  inquiry  at 
Georgetown,  I  should  find  the  upper  road  the  smoothest 
and  best,  I  shall  proceed  by  it." — Washington  to  Edmund 
Randolph. 

MONDAY,  JULY  7. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  July  9. — Monday  afternoon  [July  7] 
the  President  of  the  United  States  arrived  in  town  from 
the  southward." — Dunlap  and  Claypoole's  American  Daily 
Advertiser. 

"  Philadelphia,  July  13. — I  arrived  in  this  City  myself  on  Monday ;  made 
rather  worse  by  my  journey,  and  a  wetting  I  got  on  the  "Road  on  Saturday ; 
having  travelled  all  day  through  a  constant  Kain.  .  .  .  P.S.  Mrs.  Washing 
ton  desires  you  will  send  her  by  the  first  Vessel  to  this  place  one  dozn  of  the 
best  Hams,  and  half  a  dozn  Midlings  of  Bacon. — Weigh  the  whole  and  send 
me  the  Account  of  it. ' ' —  Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

THUKSDAY,  JULY  10. 

At  Philadelphia:  "July  10. — I  waited  on  Mr.  Ran 
dolph,  who  immediately  accompanied  me  and  introduced 
me  to  the  President  of  the  United  States.  He  said  little  or 
nothing  to  me  upon  the  subject  of  the  business  on  which  I 
am  to  be  sent  [as  resident  minister  to  the  United  Nether 
lands].  All  his  directions  and  intentions  on  this  head  I  am 
to  receive  through  the  medium  of  his  Ministers.  I  dined 
with  him  General  and  Mrs.  Knox,  Mr.  Randolph  and  Mr. 
Bradford  were  there,  and  also  Mrs.  R.  Morris." — Diary  of 
John  Quincy  Adams. 

"July  11. — By  the  invitation  of  the  President,  I  attended  the  reception  he 
gave  to  Piomingo  and  a  number  of  other  Chickasaw  Indians.  Five  Chiefs, 
seven  Warriors,  four  boys  and  an  interpreter  constituted  the  Company. 
As  soon  as  the  whole  were  seated  the  ceremony  of  smoking  began.  A 
large  East  Indian  pipe  was  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  Hall.  The  tube 
which  appeared  to  be  of  leather,  was  twelve  to  fifteen  feet  in  length.  The 
President  began  and  after  two  or  three  whiffs,  passed  the  tube  to  Piomingo ; 
he  to  the  next  chief,  and  so  all  round.  .  .  .  When  it  was  finished,  the  Presi- 


280  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1794 

dent  addressed  them  in  a  speech  which  he  read,  stopping  at  the  close  of 
every  sentence  for  the  interpreter  to  translate  it.  ...  Piomingo  then  de 
sired  he  might  be  excused  from  giving  his  talks  at  this  time,  being  very 
unwell,  but  promised  to  give  them  in  a  few  days.  They  then  made  several 
inquiries  respecting  the  Cherokees  who  have  recently  been  here.*  Their 
questions  discovered  a  mixture  of  curiosity  and  animosity.  These  two 
nations  are  at  war,  and  the  Chickasaws  spoke  of  the  others  as  perfidious 
people.  The  fides  punica  it  seems  is  not  confined  to  civilized  nations. 

"  The  informal  conversation  was  held  while  wine,  punch  and  cake  were 
carrying  round.  .  .  .  These  formalities  employed  about  an  hour ;  after 
which  they  rose,  shook  hands  with  us  all,  and  departed." — Diary  of  John 
Qulncy  Adams. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  20. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  know  of  no  pursuit  in  which  more 
real  &  important  service  can  be  rendered  to  any  Country, 
than  by  improving  its  agriculture — its  breed  of  useful  ani 
mals — and  other  branches  of  a  husband-mans  cares." — 
Washington  to  Sir  John  Sinclair. 

Sir  John  Sinclair,  a  Scottish  nobleman  distinguished  for  his  statistical 
publications  and  philanthropy,  was  a  frequent  correspondent  of  Washington 
on  agricultural  matters,  in  which  he  took  great  interest  of  a  practical 
nature.  He  was  the  founder  of  the  Board  of  Agriculture  in  Scotland  (1793) 
and  its  first  president.  Sinclair  published  at  London  in  1800,  in  fac-simile, 
the  letters  addressed  to  him  by  Washington  on  "agriculture  and  other  in 
teresting  topics,"  to  which  was  appended  a  brief  sketch  of  the  character  of 
the  writer. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  30. 

At  Germantown  :  "  August  3. — I  removed  to  this  place  on 
Wednesday  last  [July  30],  in  order  to  avoid  the  heat  of  the 
City  of  Philadelphia. — It  is  probable  I  shall  remain  here 
until  about  the  middle  of  September." — Washington  to 
William  Pearce. 


*  "  June  7. — Yesterday  arrived  here  in  the  brig  Fame,  Capt.  Hunt,  eight 
days  from  Charleston,  twenty-one  Indian  Chiefs,  or  head  warriors,  of  the 
Cherokee  nation,  deputised  by  that  nation  to  treat  with  the  President  of  the 
United  States.  They  were  conducted  from  the  place  of  landing  to  the 
accommodations  provided  for  them  by  the  directions  of  the  Governor  of  this 
State." — Dunlap  and  Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 


1794]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  281 

THURSDAY,  AUGUST  7. 

At  Germantown :  Issues  a  proclamation  warning  the 
insurgents  in  the  western  parts  of  Pennsylvania  to  desist 
from  their  opposition  to  the  laws  laying  duties  upon  spirits 
distilled  within  the  United  States,  and  upon  stills. 

In  this  proclamation,  after  briefly  stating  the  doings  of  the  insurgents, 
the  measures  thus  far  pursued  by  the  government,  and  the  principal  points 
of  the  law  which  authorized  force  to  be  employed  against  insurrectionary 
movements,  the  President  expressed  the  opinion  that  the  time  had  come 
when  it  was  necessary  to  call  out  the  militia  for  this  purpose ;  and  the  in 
surgents  were  warned  that,  unless  they  should  disperse  before  the  1st  of 
September,  the  law  would  be  put  in  execution.  In  pursuance  thereof  a 
requisition  was  issued  for  raising  12,950  of  the  militia,*  to  be  held  in  readi 
ness  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning:  Pennsylvania,  5200;  New  Jersey, 
2100 ;  Maryland,  2350 ;  Virginia,  3300  The  militia  were  called  out  on  the 
2d  of  September,  and  the  President,  in  a  proclamation  of  the  25th  of  the 
month,  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  learning  of  their  patriotic  alacrity  in 
obeying  the  call,  and  that  a  force,  which,  according  to  every  reasonable  ex 
pectation,  was  adequate  to  the  exigency,  was  already  in  motion  to  the  scene 
of  disaffection. 

SATURDAY,  AUGUST  30. 

At  Germantown  :  "  I  will  undertake  without  the  gift  of 
prophecy,  to  predict,  that  it  will  be  impossible  to  keep  this 
country  in  a  state  of  amity  with  Great  Britain  long,  if  the 
posts  are  not  surrendered.  A  knowledge  of  these  being 
my  sentiments  would  have  little  weight,  I  am  persuaded, 
with  the  British  administration,  and  perhaps  not  with  the 
nation  in  effecting  the  measure;  but  both  may  rest  satisfied 
that,  if  they  want  to  be  in  peace  with  this  country,  and  to 
enjoy  the  benefits  of  its  trade,  to  give  up  the  posts  is  the 
only  road  to  it.  Withholding  them,  and  consequences  we 
feel  at  present  continuing,  war  will  be  inevitable." — Wash 
ington  to  John  Jay,  at  London. 

It  was  stipulated  in  Article  VII.  of  the  definitive  treaty  of  peace  of 
September  3,  1783,  that  the  British  government  should  with  all  convenient 
speed  withdraw  its  armies  from  every  post,  place,  and  harbor  within  the 

*  This  requisition  was  afterward  augmented  to  fifteen  thousand. 


282  WASHINGTON  AFTER  THE  REVOLUTION.          [1794 

United  States.  The  troops,  however,  hud  not  as  yet  been  withdrawn  from 
the  posts  of  Mackinaw,  Detroit,  Fort  Erie,  Niagara,  Oswego,  Oswegatchie  (on 
the  St.  Lawrence),  and  Port-au-fer  and  Dutchman's  Point  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain.  It  was  the  opinion  of  the  President  that  all  the  difficulties  with  the 
Indians  were  the  result  of  the  conduct  of  the  British  agents  protected  by 
these  frontier  posts.  They  endeavored  to  remove  friendly  tribes  over  the 
line,  and  also  to  keep  those  who  were  hostile  to  the  United  States  in  a  state 
of  irritation ;  and  they  also  furnished  the  whole  with  arms,  ammunition, 
clothing,  and  even  provisions  to  carry  on  the  war.  From  these  facts  came 
the  positive  conviction  (expressed  in  the  above-quoted  letter)  that  without 
their  surrender  a  state  of  amity  with  Great  Britain  could  not  long  be  con 
tinued.  The  surrender  of  these  posts,  thus  urged  by  Washington,  was  incor 
porated  in  Article  II.  of  the  "  Jay  Treaty,"  concluded  at  London,  October 
25,  1795,  it  being  stipulated  that  His  Majesty  should  withdraw  all  his  troops 
and  garrisons  from  all  posts  and  places  within  the  boundary  lines  assigned 
by  the  treaty  of  peace  with  the  United  States ;  this  evacuation  was  to  take 
place  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  June,  1796. 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  14. 

At  Germantown :  "  Love  is  a  mighty  pretty  thing,  but 
like  all  other  delicious  things  it  is  cloying ;  and  when  the 
first  transport  of  the  passion  begins  to  subside,  which  it 
assuredly  will  do,  and  yield — oftentimes  too  late — to  more 
sober  reflections,  it  serves  to  evince,  that  love  is  too  dainty 
a  food  to  live  upon  alone,  and  ought  not  to  be  considered 
further  than  as  a  necessary  ingredient  for  that  matrimonial 
happiness  which  results  from  a  combination  of  causes ;  none 
of  which  are  of  greater  importance  than  that  the  object  on 
whom  it  is  placed  should  possess  good  sense, — good  disposi 
tions, — and  the  means  of  supporting  you  in  the  way  you 
have  been  brought  up,  and  who,  at  the  same  time,  has  a 
claim  to  the  respect  of  the  circle  in  which  he  moves." — 
Washington  to  Eliza  Parke  Custis. 

Eliza  Parke  Custis,  to  whom  this  letter  was  addressed,  was  the  eldest 
child  of  John  Parke  Custis,  the  son  of  Mrs.  Washington,  who  died  in  No 
vember,  1781.  At  the  date  of  the  letter  she  was  living  at  Hope  Park,  Fair 
fax  County,  Virginia,  with  her  mother,  who  had  married  Dr.  David  Stuart, 
their  former  residence  having  been  at  Abingdon.  Miss  Custis  married 
(March  21,  1796)  Thomas  Law,  who  had  been  chief  of  a  large  district  in 
Bengal.  In  England  his  family  was  opulent  and  distinguished.  Her  sister 


1794]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  283 

Martha  Parke  Custis  married  (January  6,  1795),  at  the  age  of  seventeen, 
Thomas  Peter,  son  of  Kichard  Peter,  of  Georgetown,  Maryland.  The  two 
younger  children,  Eleanor  Parke  and  George  Washington  Parke  Custis, 
were  brought  up  at  Mount  Vernon,  as  has  been  previously  stated. 

SATUKDAY,  SEPTEMBER  20. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  September  21. — We  left  our  Quarters 
at  German  Town  yesterday,  and  are  again  fixed  in  this 
City." — Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

The  President  occupied  the  same  house  at  Germantown  in  1794  as  in  the 
previous  year.  Under  date  of  September  24,  1794,  the  following  entry 
occurs  in  his  Cash- Book :  "Isaac  Franks  in  Full  for  House  rent  &c  at 
Germ  town  pr  rect. — 201.60." 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBER  28. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  leave  this  on  Tuesday  for  Carlisle, 
where  I  shall  (from  the  information  I  expect  to  receive  from 
the  Insurgent  Counties  of  this  state)  be  better  enabled  to 
determine  whether  I  shall  proceed  on  with  the  Troops,  than 
I  can  do  here." —  Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

"September  29. — The  insurgents  in  the  back  country  have  carried  matters 
so  high  that  the  President  has  been  obliged  to  send  a  large  body  of  men 
to  settle  the  matter,  and  is  to  go  himself  tomorrow  to  Carlyle  to  meet 
the  troops.  God  knows  when  he  will  return  again.  I  shall  be  left  quite 
alone  with  the  children." — Mrs.  Washington  to  Mrs.  George  Augustine  Wash 
ington. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  30. 

Leaves  Philadelphia:  "September  30. — Having  determined 
from  the  Report  of  the  Commissioners,  who  were  appointed 
to  meet  the  Insurgents  in  the  Western  Counties  in  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  from  other  circumstances — to  repair 
to  the  places  appointed  for  the  Rendezvous,  of  the  Militia 
of  New  Jersey  Pennsylvania  Maryland  &  Virginia ;  I  left 
the  City  of  Philadelphia  about  half  past  ten  o'clock  this 
forenoon  accompanied  by  Col°  Hamilton  (Secretary  of  the 
Treasury)  and  my  private  Secretary  [Bartholomew  Dan- 


284  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1794 

dridge].*  Dined  at  Norris  Town  and  lodged  at  a  place 
called  the  Trap — the  first  17,  and  the  latter  25  miles  from 
Philadelphia." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"At  Norris  Town  we  passed  a  detachment  of  Militia  who  were  preparing 
to  March  for  the  Kendezvous  at  Carlisle— and  at  the  Trap  late  in  the  evening, 
we  were  overtaken  by  Major  [John]  Stagg  principal  Clerk  in  the  Depart 
ment  of  War  with  letters  from  Gen1  Wayne  &  the  Western  Army  contain 
ing  official  &  pleasing  accounts  of  his  engagement  [August  20th]  with  the 
Indians  near  the  British  Post  at  the  Rapids  of  the  Miami  of  the  Lake — 
and  of  his  having  destroyed  all  the  Indian  Settlements  on  that  River  in  the 
Vicinity  of  the  said  Post  quite  up  to  the  grand  Glaize — the  quantity  not  less 
than  5000  Acres— and  the  Stores  &c  of  Col°  McGlee  [M'Kee]  the  British 
Agent  of  Indian  Affairs  a  mile  or  two  from  the  Garrison." — Washington's 
Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBER  1. 

At  Reading,  Pennsylvania :  "  October  1. — Left  the  Trap 
early,  and  breakfasting  at  Pottsgrove  11  Miles  we  reached 
Reading  to  Dinner  19  miles  farther  where  we  found  several 
detachm*8  of  Infantry  &  Cavalry  preparing  for  their  March 
to  Carlisle." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  October  2. — An  accident  happening  to  one  of  my  horses,  occasion3  my 
setting  out  later  than  was  intended — I  got  off  in  time,  however,  to  make  a 
halt  (to  bait  my  horses)  at  Womelsdorps  [Womelsdorf]  14  miles  and  to 
view  the  Canal  from  Myerstown  towards  Lebanon — and  the  Locks  between 
the  two  places ;  which  (four  adjoining  each  other,  in  the  dissent  from  the 
Summit  ground  along  the  Tulpihockin  ;  built  of  Brick  ;)  appeared  admira 
bly  constructed. — Reached  Lebanon  at  Night,  28  miles." — Washington's 
Diary. 

FRIDAY,  OCTOBER  3. 

At  Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania :  "  October  3. — Breakfasted 
at  Humels  T[own],  14  M  and  dined  and  lodged  at  Harris- 

*  "  September  30. — That  great  and  good  man  General  Washington,  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  set  out  from  his  house  on  Market  Street,  with 
Secretary  Hamilton  on  his  left  and  his  Private  Secretary  on  his  right,  to 
head  the  troops  called  out  to  quell  the  insurrection  to  the  westward." — 
Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 


1794]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  285 

burgh  on  the  Banks  of  the  Susquehanna  23  miles  from 
Lebanon. 

"  At  Harrisburgh  we  found  the  first  Regiment  of  New 
Jersey  (about  560  strong)  commd  by  Col°  Turner  drawn  out 
to  receive  me — passed  along  the  line,  to  my  Quarters — and 
after  dinner  walked  through  and  round  the  Town  which  is 
considerable  for  its  age  (of  about  8  or  9  years) — The  Sus 
quehanna  at  this  place  abounds  in  the  Rock  fish  of  12  or  15 
Inches  in  length  &  a  fish  which  they  call  Salmon." — Wash 
ington's  I>iary. 

"  Harrisburgh,  October  6. — On  Friday  last  [October  3],  the  president  of 
the  United  States  arrived  in  this  town.  The  pleasure  excited,  in  beholding, 
for  the  first  time,  our  beloved  chief,  in  this  borough,  is  not  easily  described. 
An  address  was  delivered  to  him,  by  the  burgesses,  in  behalf  of  the  inhab 
itants  of  the  town,  which  he  was  pleased  to  answer." — Dunlap  and  Clay- 
poole's  American  Daily  Advertiser,  October  16. 

SATUKDAY,  OCTOBEK  4. 

At  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania :  "  October  4. — Forded  the  Sus 
quehanna;  nearly  a  mile  wide,  including  the  Island.  At 
the  lower  end  of  woh  the  road  crosses  it.  On  the  Cumber 
land  side  I  found  a  detachment  of  the  Philadelphia  light 
horse  ready  to  receive,  and  escort  me  to  Carlisle  17  miles ; 
where  I  arrived  about  11  Oclock. — two  miles  short  of  it,  I 
met  the  Governors  of  Pennsylvania  [Thomas  Mifflin]  & 
New  Jersey  [Richard  Howell]  with  all  the  Cavalry  that  had 
Rendezvoused  at  that  place  drawn  up — passed  them — and 
the  Infantry  of  Pennsylvania  before  I  alighted  at  my 
quarters." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  Carlisle,  October  8. — On  Saturday  last  [October  4]  the  President  of  the 
United  States  arrived  here.  Every  exertion  was  made  by  the  respectable 
army  now  encamped,  and  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  place  to  receive  him 
with  that  respect  correspondent  to  those  sentiments  of  attachment  and 
veneration,  with  which  every  good  man  and  patriot  had  been  long  impressed. 
The  Governors  of  Pennsylvania  and  Jersey,  at  the  head  of  their  respective 
squadrons  of  horse,  and  the  friends  of  government  inhabitants  of  this  town, 
met  him  at  some  distance  from  the  borough.  The  President  was  escorted 


286  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1794 

by  a  detachment  of  Philadelphia  horse,  who  left  the  camp  at  three  o'clock 
in  the  morning  of  that  day,  and  who  arrived  at  the  river  as  he  had  just 
passed  it.  He  was  accompanied  by  Secretary  Hamilton,  and  his  private 
secretary  Mr.  Dandridge.  This  grand  procession  passed  through  the  borough 
to  the  camp.  Here  the  horse  formed  on  the  right  and  left  wings  of  the 
army,  drawn  up  in  martial  order,  and  forming  a  line  the  most  respecta 
ble  ever  perhaps  before  displayed.  Besides  the  great  mass  of  respectable 
yeomanry,  there  might  be  seen  as  private  troopers  some  of  the  principal 
officers  of  the  state  government,  members  of  the  senate  and  house  of  repre 
sentatives  of  Pennsylvania,  officers  who  had  commanded  regiments  in 
the  continental  service,  merchants  of  the  most  respectable  characters  and 
fortunes,  lawyers  of  eminent  talents  and  property.  Amongst  the  infantry 
as  volunteer  soldiers,  there  are  young  gentlemen  of  the  first  families  in  the 
respective  states.  Some  of  them  men  of  great  opulence,  and  a  number  of 
them  of  consequence  in  the  commercial  world. 

"  The  line  was  composed  of  the  cavalry  before  mentioned,  a  regiment  of 
artillery  with  16  pieces,  with  the  infantry  from  various  parts  of  Pennsyl 
vania,  amounting  in  the  whole  to  near  three  thousand  men  beautifully 
equipped,  and  all  in  handsome  uniforms.  The  army  was  reviewed  by  the 
President  who  appeared  to  enjoy  the  utmost  satisfaction  at  the  illustrious 
display  of  patriotic  exertion  ;  he  remarked,  as  we  are  informed,  that  he  had 
never  beheld  a  more  respectable  body  of  troops,  and  some  gentlemen  who 
had  been  American  officers  in  the  late  war  with  Great  Britain,  admitted 
that  they  had  never  seen  at  any  period  of  the  war  so  strong  and  fine  a 
body  of  cavalry.  In  the  evening  the  court  house  in  this  borough  was 
illuminated  by  the  federal  citizens,  and  a  transparency  exhibited  with  the 
following  inscriptions  in  large  illuminated  characters — in  the  front  of  the 
transparency,  'WASHINGTON  IS  EVEK  TRIUMPHANT.'  On  one 
side  'THE  REIGN  OF  THE  LAWS;'  on  the  other  side,  'WOE  TO 
ANARCHISTS.'" — Dunlap  and  Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser, 
October  17. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  5. 

At  Carlisle  :  "  October  5. — Went  to  the  Presbiterian  Meet 
ing  and  heard  Doctr  Davidson  Preach  a  political  Sermon, 
recommendatory  of  order  &  good  government;  and  the  ex 
cellence  of  that  of  the  United  States." — Washington' 's  Diary. 

"October  6th*  to  October  12. — Employed  in  organizing  the  several  de 
tachments,  which  had  come  in  from  different  Counties  of  this  State,  in  a 
very  disjointed  &  loose  manner ; — or  rather  I  ought  to  have  said  in  urging 

*  On  Monday,  October  6,  a  number  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  Car 
lisle  presented  the  President  with  an  address,  which  he  answered. 


1794]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  287 

&  assisting  Gen1  Mifflin  to  do  it;  as  I  no  otherwise  took  the  command  of  the 
Troops  than  to  press  them  forward,  and  to  provide  them  with  necessaries 
for  their  March,  as  well,  &  as  far,  as  our  means  would  admit. — To  effect 
these  purposes,  I  appointed  General  [Edward]  Hand  adjutant  General  on 
the  7th.  On  the  9th  William  Findlay  and  David  Redick — deputed  by  the 
Committee  of  Safety  (as  it  is  dissignated)  which  met  on  the  2d  of  this  month 
at  Parkinson's  Perry  [now  Monongahela  City]  arrived  in  Camp  with  the 
Resolutions  of  the  said  Committee; — and  to  give  information  of  the  State 
of  things  in  the  four  "Western  Counties  of  Pennsylvania  to  wit — Washing 
ton  Fayette  Westd  [Westmoreland]  &  Alleguny  in  order  to  see  if  it  would 
prevent  the  March  of  the  Army  into  them. — At  10  o'clock  I  had  a  meeting 
with  these  persons  in  the  presence  of  Govr  Howell  (of  New  Jersey)  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Col°  Hamilton,  &  Mr  Dandridge  :— GoV  Mifflin 
was  invited  to  be  present,  but  excused  himself  on  Ace*  of  business.  .  .  . 
On  the  10th  the  light  &  legionary  Corps  under  the  immediate  Command  of 
Majr  [WTilliam]  M°Pherson — The  Jersey  Regiment  &  Guirneys  [Colonel 
Francis  Gurney]  from  Philadelphia,  commenced  their  March  under  the 
orders  of  Governor  Howell ;  and  the  day  following  the  whole  body  of  Cav 
alry  (except  the  three  Troops  of  Phila  Horse  commanded  by  Captn  [John] 
Dunlap,  as  part  of  the  legion  above  mentioned)  under  Genl  White  * — a  new 
formed  Corp  of  Independant  uniform  Companies  under  &  several  other 
Corps  under  the  Command  of  Govr  Mifflin  Marched  all  for  the  Rendezvous 
at  Bedford." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  12. 

At  Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania :  "  October  12. — Having 
settled  these  matters ;  seen  the  Troops  off,  as  before  men 
tioned ;  given  them  their  Rout  &  days  Marching;  and  left 
Majr  Gen1  [William]  Irvine  to  organize  the  remainder  of 
the  Pennsylvania  detachments  as  they  might  come  in,  &  to 
March  them  &  the  Jersey  Troops  on  when  refreshed, — I  set 
out  from  Carlisle  about  7  o'clock  this  Morning — dined  at 
Shippensburgh  21  miles  &  lodged  at  Chambersburgh  11  m. 
further  where  I  was  joined  by  the  Adg*  Gen1  Hand/' — 
Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  13. 

At  Williamsport,  Maryland  :  "  October  13. — Breakfasted 
at  Greencastle  [Pennsylvania]  10  Miles,  &  lodged  at  "Wil 
liamsport,  14  Miles  further." — Washington's  Diary. 

*  Anthony  W.  White,  Adjutant-General  of  New  Jersey. 


288  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1794 

"  Williamsport,  October  14. — With  pleasure  we  announce  to  the  public, 
that  the  President  of  the  United  States  arrived  here  last  evening,  in  good 
health — his  presence  made  every  heart  rejoice,  and  beat  high  with  affection 
and  gratitude — last  night  every  window  was  illuminated — Early  this  morn 
ing  he  set  out  for  Cumberland  " — Dunlap  and  Ciaypoole's  American  Daily 
Advertiser,  October  25. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBEK  14. 

At  Bath,  Virginia :  "  October  14. — About  Seven  o'clock, 
or  half  after  it,  we  left  "Williamsport ;  and  travelling  up,  on 
the  Maryland  side  of  the  River,  we  breakfasted  at  one 

13  miles  on  our  way — &  crossing  the  Potomac  a  mile 

or  two  below  Hancock  Town  lodged  at  the  Warm  Springs ; 
or  Bath  [now  Berkeley  Springs,  Morgan  County,  West 
Virginia] ;  16  miles,  from  our  breakfasting  stage — and  29 
from  Williamsport." —  Washington's  Diary. 


"  October  15. — Left  Bath  by  seven  oclock;  &  crossing  the  Cacapehon 
Mountain,  and  the  Potomack  Kiver  by  a  very  rough  Koad,  we  breakfasted 
at  one  Goldens — distant  about  7  Miles — Bated  our  horses  at  a  very  indif 
ferent  place  ab'  13  Miles  further  on — and  lodged  at  the  old  Town  33  or  34 
Miles — This  distance  from  the  extreme  badness  of  the  Road,  more  than  half 
of  it  being  very  hilly,  &  great  part  of  it  Stoney,  was  a  severe  days  journey 
for  the  Carriage  horses;  they  performed  it  however  well." — Washington's 
Diary. 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  16. 

At  Cumberland,  Maryland  :  "  October  16. — After  an  early 
breakfast  we  set  out  for  Cumberland — and  about  11  o'clock 
arrived  there. — Three  Miles  from  the  Town  I  was  met  by 
a  party  of  Horse  under  the  command  of  Major  [George] 
Lewis  (my  Nephew)  and  by  Brig'  Gen1  [Samuel]  Smith  of 
the  Maryland  line,  who  Escorted  me  to  the  Camp ;  where, 
finding  all  the  Troops  under  Arms,  I  passed  along  the  line 
of  the  Army ;  &  was  conducted  to  a  house  the  Residence 
of  Major  Lynn  of  the  Maryland  line  (an  old  Continental 
Officer)  where  I  was  well  lodged  &  civily  entertained." — 
Washington's  Diary. 


1794]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  289 

"  October  17th  &  18th. — Kemained  at  Cumberland,  in  order  to  acquire  a 
true  knowledge  of  the  strength  condition  &c  of  the  Troops ; — and  to  see 
how  they  were  provided,  and  when  they  could  be  got  in  readiness  to  pro 
ceed. — I  found  upward  of  3200  men  (Officers  included)  in  this  encampment ; 
Understood  that  about  500  more  were  at  a  little  Village  on  the  Virginia 
side,  11  Miles  distant,  called  Frankfort,  under  the  command  of  Majr  Gen1 
[Daniel]  Morgan ;  that  700  more  had  arrived  at  that  place  the  evening  of 
the  18th  undr  Brigr  Mathews — and  500  More  were  expected  in  the  course  of 
a  few  days  under  Col°  Page — and  That  the  whole  were  well  supplied  with 
Provns  Forage  &  Straw. — Having  requested  that  every  thing  might  be 
speedily  arranged  for  a  forward  movement,  and  a  light  Corps  to  be  organ 
ized  for  the  advance  under  the  command  of  Major  Gen1  Morgan,  I  resolved 
to  proceed  to  Bedford  next  morns."  —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  19. 

At  Bedford,  Pennsylvania :  "  October  19. — In  company 
with  Gen1  Lee,  who  I  requested  to  attend  me,  that  all  the 
arrangements  necessary  for  the  Army's  crossing  the  Mount"" 
in  two  columns  might  be  made; — Their  Routs  &  days 
Marches  fixed,  that  the  whole  might  move  in  Unison — and 
accompanied  by  the  Adjutant  General  and  my  own  family 
we  set  out,  ab*  eight  oclock,  for  Bedford,  and  making  one 
halt  at  the  distance  of  12  Miles,  reached  it  a  little  after  4 
oclock  in  the  afternoon  being  met  a  little  out  of  the  En 
campment  by  Govr  Mifflin  Govr  Howell — &  several  other 
Officers  of  distinction. — 

"  Quarters  were  provided  for  me  at  the  House  of  a  Mr 
[David]  Espy,  Prothonotary  of  the  County  of  Bedford — 
to  which  I  was  carried  &  lodged  very  comfortably." —  Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

"  October  19. — The  Cavalry  this  morning  escorted  the  President  about 
five  miles  from  [the  Cumberland]  camp  when  he  requested  the  Troops  to 
return  &  taking  leave  spoke  to  Major  George  Lewis  as  follows  :  '  George, 
You  are  the  eldest  of  five  nephews  that  I  have  in  this  Army,  let  your  con 
duct  be  an  example  to  them  and  do  not  turn  your  back  untill  you  are  or 
dered.'  .  .  .  The  Presidents  5  nephews  are  Major  George  Lewis,  Commandant 
of  the  Cavalry.  Major  Lawrence  Lewis  Aid  de  Camp  to  Major  Genl  Mor 
gan.  Mr.  Howell  Lewis  in  Capt.  Mercer's  troop  and  Mr.  Sam1  Washington 
(son  of  Col.  Ch's  Washington),  and  Mr.  Lawrence  Washington  (son  of 

19 


290  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1794 

Col.  Sam'l  Washington)  both  of  whom  are  light  horsemen  in  the  troop 
lately  commanded  by  Capt.  Lewis." — Diary  of  Robert  Wellford,  Surgeon- 
General. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  20. 

At  Bedford :  "  October  20. — Called  the  Quarter  Master 
General,  Adjutant  General,  Contractor,  &  others  of  the 
Staff  departm*  before  me,  &  the  Commander  in  chief 
[Henry  Lee],  at  9  oclock  this  morning,  in  order  to  fix  on 
the  Routs  of  the  two  columns  &  their  stages ; — and  when 
they  wd  be  able  to  put  the  Army  in  motion. — Also  to  obtain 
a  correct  return  of  the  strength — and  to  press  the  command 
ing  Officers  of  Corps  to  prepare  with  all  the  Celerity  in  their 
power  for  a  forward  movement. — Upon  comparing  accta  it 
was  found  that  the  army  could  be  put  in  motion  [on  the] 
23d — and  it  was  so  ordered.  .  .  .  Matters  being  thus  arranged 
I  wrote  a  farewell  address  to  the  Army  through  the  Com 
mander  in  chief  Govr  Lee — to  be  published  in  orders — and 
having  prepared  his  Instructions  and  made  every  arrange 
ment  that  occurred,  as  necessary  I  prepared  for  my  return 
to  Philadelphia  in  order  to  meet  Congress,  and  to  attend  to 
the  Civil  duties  of  my  Office." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  21. 

Leaves  Bedford :  "  Bedford,  October  23. — We  understand 
the  President  of  the  United  States  left  Bedford,  on  his  return 
to  Philadelphia,  on  Tuesday  last  [October  21]." — Dunlap 
and  Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser,  October  28. 

"  From  Cumberland  and  Bedford,  the  army  marched  in  two  divisions 
into  the  country  of  the  insurgents.  As  had  been  foreseen,  the  greatness  of 
the  force  prevented  the  effusion  of  blood.  The  disaffected  did  not  venture 
to  assemble  in  arms.  Several  of  the  leaders  who  had  refused  to  give  assur 
ances  of  future  submission  to  the  laws  were  seized,  and  some  of  them  de 
tained  for  legal  prosecution.  A  Mr.  Bradford,  who,  in  the  latter  stages  of 
the  insurrection,  had  manifested  a  peculiar  degree  of  violence,  and  had 
openly  advocated  the  appeal  to  arms,  made  his  escape  into  the  territories  of 
Spain. 

"But  although  no  direct  and  open  opposition  was  made,  the  spirit  of 


1794]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  291 

insurrection  was  by  no  means  subdued.  A  sour  and  malignant  temper  dis 
played  itself,  which  indicated  but  too  plainly  that  the  disposition  to  resist 
had  only  sunk  under  the  pressure  of  the  great  military  force  brought  into 
the  country,  but  would  rise  again  should  that  force  be  suddenly  removed. 
It  was,  therefore,  thought  advisable  to  station  for  the  winter,  a  detachment, 
to  be  commanded  by  major  general  Morgan,  in  the  centre  of  the  disaffected 
country. 

"  Thus,  without  shedding  a  drop  of  blood,  did  the  prudent  vigour  of  the 
executive  terminate  an  insurrection  which,  at  one  time,  threatened  to  shake 
the  government  of  the  United  States  to  its  foundation." — Marshall's  Wash 
ington,  vol.  v.  p.  589. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  26. 

At  Wright's  Ferry :  *  "  Thus  far  I  have  proceeded  with 
out  accident  to  man  horse  or  carriage,  altho'  the  latter  has 
had  wherewith  to  try  its  goodness ;  especially  in  ascending 
the  North  Mountain  from  Skinners  by  a  wrong  road ;  that 
is, — by  the  old  road  which  never  was  good  and  is  rendered 
next  to  impassible  by  neglect.  .  .  . 

"  I  rode  yesterday  afternoon  thro'  the  rain  from  York 
Town  to  this  place,  and  got  twice  in  the  height  of  it  hung 
(and  delayed  by  that  means)  on  the  rocks  in  the  middle  of 
the  Susquehanna.  ...  I  do  not  intend  further  than  Lan 
caster  to-day. — But  on  Tuesday,  if  no  accident  happens  I 
expect  to  be  landed  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia." —  Wash 
ington  to  Alexander  Hamilton. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  28. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  October  29. — Yesterday  morning  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  and  his  suite  arrived  in 
town  from  Bedford." — Dunlap  and  Claypoole's  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 

"  Philadelphia,  31  October. — By  pushing  through  the  rain,  which  fell 
more  or  less  on  Saturday,  Sunday,  and  Monday,  I  arrived  in  this  city  before 
noon  on  Tuesday,  without  encountering  any  accident  on  the  road,  or  any 
thing  more  unpleasant  than  the  badness  of  the  ways,  after  the  rains  had 

*  On  the  Susquehanna,  now  Columbia,  Lancaster  County,  Pennsyl 
vania. 


292  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1794 

softened  the  earth  and  made  them  susceptible  of  a  deep  impression  of  the 
wheels." — Washington  to  Alexander  Hamilton. 

THUKSDAY,  OCTOBEK  30. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  November  1. — The  Chevalier  DE  FREIRE 
was  on  Thursday  [October  30]  presented  by  the  Secretary 
of  State,  to  the  President,  as  Minister  Resident  of  Her  Most 
Faithful  Majesty  [Maria-Frances-Isabella,  Queen  of  Portu 
gal],  to  the  United  States  of  America,  and  was  received  as 
such. 

"  We  also  hear  that  Madam  FREIRE  was  yesterday  [Oc 
tober  31,]  introduced  to  the  President  and  Mrs.  Washing 
ton." — Dunlap  and  Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  19. 

At  Philadelphia:  "November  19. — This  Day  at  twelve 
o'Clock  the  President  of  the  United  States  met  both  Houses 
of  the  Legislature,  in  the  Chamber  of  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives,  and  delivered  his  Address." — Dunlap  and  Clay 
poole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

SATUEDAY,  NOVEMBER  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  November  22. — This  day  the  Senate 
waited  on  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  the  Vice 
President  in  their  name  presented  him  with  an  answer  to 
his  speech  to  both  Houses  of  Congress." — Dunlap  and  Clay 
poole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  December  1.— Last  Saturday  [November  29]  at  twelve  o'clock  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  waited  on  the  President  with  their 
answer  to  his  speech. ' ' — Idem. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  4. 

At  Philadelphia:  "December  4. — We  are  happy  in  an 
nouncing  to  the  public  that  the  President  of  the  United 
States  means  to  honor  the  OLD  AMERICAN  COMPANY  with 
his  presence  at  the  THEATRE  this  evening." — The  Aurora. 


1794]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  293 

"Old  American  Company.—  THEATRE.— CEDAE  [or  South]  Street. 
—LAST  NIGHT  THIS  SEASON.— FOR  THE  BENEFIT  of  MR.  and 
MRS.  HALLAM. — This  Evening,  Thursday,  December  4. — "Will  be  pre 
sented,  a  Comedy,  called  THE  YOUNG  QUAKEE;  or  The  Fair  Phila- 
delphian.  Written  by  O'Keefe,  and  performed  in  London  with  the  most 
unbounded  applause. — End  of  the  Play  (by  particular  desire)  the  Panto 
mime  Ballet  of  the  TWO  PHILOSOPHEES.— To  which  will  be  added,  a 
new  Musical  Piece,  called  The  CHILDEEN  in  the  Wood.— The  MUSIC 
by  Dr.  Arnold,  with  additional  SONGS  by  Mr.  Carr.— End  of  the  Farce, 
Mr.  Martin  will  recite  Dr.  Goldsmith's  celebrated  Epilogue  in  the  character 
of  Harlequin. — The  whole  to  conclude  with  a  LEAP  through  A  Barrel  of 
FIRE."— Idem. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBEE  10. 

At  Philadelphia:  "December  11. — Yesterday  returned 
from  the  western  expedition  MACPHERSON'S  volunteer  bat 
talion  of  blues,*  headed  by  their  friend  general  [Frederick] 
Frelinghuysen,  who  commanded  the  legion.  At  Broad- 
Street  they  were  received  under  a  discharge  of  artillery  by 
a  detachment  which  went  out  for  that  purpose — from  Schuyl- 
kill  they  were  escorted  into  the  city  by  Captains  [John] 
Dunlap,  [Abraham]  Singer,  and  [Matthew]  M'Connell's 
Horse,  in  full  uniform — their  companions  in  the  late  truly 
glorious,  successful,  and  bloodless  expedition.  .  .  .  As  they 
passed  the  President's  House  who  was  at  the  door,  the  band 
played ;  the  Father  of  his  country,  expressed  in  his  coun 
tenance,  more  than  can  be  described." — Dunlap  and  Clay- 
poole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBEE  30. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  The  considerations,  which  you  have 
often  suggested  to  me,  and  which  are  repeated  in  your 
letter  of  the  28th  instant,  as  requiring  your  departure  from 
your  present  office,  are  such  as  to  preclude  the  possibility 

*  A  special  body  of  volunteers  formed  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  in  quell 
ing  the  "Whiskey  Insurrection."  They  were  organized  into  a  battalion, 
and  in  compliment  to  their  commander,  Major  William  Macpherson,  styled 
themselves  "  Macpherson  Blues."  On  the  threatened  war  with  France  in 
1798  the  "  Blues"  were  reorganized. 


294  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1794 

of  my  urging  your  continuance  in  it.     This  being  the  case, 
I  can  only  wish  that  it  was  otherwise. 

"  I  cannot  suffer  you,  however,  to  close  your  public  ser 
vice,  without  uniting  with  the  satisfaction,  which  must 
arise  in  your  own  mind  from  a  conscious  rectitude,  my 
most  perfect  persuasion,  that  you  have  deserved  well  of 
your  country." — Washington  to  Henry  Knox. 

Timothy  Pickering,  at  this  time  Postmaster-General,  was  appointed  to 
succeed  General  Knox  as  Secretary  of  War  on  January  2,  1795. 


THUKSDAY,  JANUARY  1. 

At  Philadelphia  :  Issues  a  proclamation  appointing  Thurs 
day,  the  nineteenth  day  of  February,  as  a  "  Day  of  Public 
Thanksgiving  and  Prayer." 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  A  month  from  this  day,  if  I  should 
live  to  see  the  completion  of  it,  will  place  me  on  the  wrong 
(perhaps  it  would  be  better  to  say  on  the  advanced)  side  of 
my  grand  climateric;  and  although  I  have  no  cause  to 
complain  of  the  want  of  health,  I  can  religiously  aver,  that 
no  man  was  ever  more  tired  of  public  life,  or  more  de 
voutly  wished  for  retirement  than  I  do." —  Washington  to 
Edmund  Pendleton. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  28. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  A  plan  for  the  establishment  of  a 
university  in  the  Federal  City  has  frequently  been  the  sub 
ject  of  conversation ;  but,  in  what  manner  it  is  proposed  to 
commence  this  important  institution,  on  how  extensive  a 
scale,  the  means  by  which  it  is  to  be  affected,  how  it  is  to 
be  supported,  or  what  progress  is  made  in  it,  are  matters 
altogether  unknown  to  me." — Washington  to  the  Commis 
sioners  of  the  Federal  District. 

In  continuing  this  letter,  Washington  wrote,  "  It  has  always  been  a 
source  of  serious  reflection  and  sincere  regret  with  me,  that  the  youth  of 
the  United  States,  should  be  sent  to  foreign  countries  for  the  purpose  of 
education.  Although  there  are  doubtless  many,  under  these  circumstances, 

295 


296  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1795 

who  escape  the  danger  of  contracting  principles  unfavorable  to  republican 
government,  yet  we  ought  to  deprecate  the  hazard  attending  ardent  and 
susceptible  minds,  from  being  too  strongly  and  too  early  prepossessed  in 
favor  of  other  political  systems,  before  they  are  capable  of  appreciating 
their  own. 

"  For  this  reason  I  have  greatly  wished  to  see  a  plan  adopted,  by  which 
the  arts,  sciences,  and  belles-lettres  could  be  taught  in  their  fullest  extent, 
thereby  embracing  all  the  advantages  of  European  tuition,  with  the  means 
of  acquiring  the  liberal  knowledge,  which  is  necessary  to  qualify  our  citizens 
for  the  exigencies  of  public  as  well  as  private  life ;  and  (which  with  me  is  a 
consideration  of  great  magnitude)  by  assembling  the  youth  from  the  different 
parts  of  this  rising  republic,  contributing  from  their  intercourse  and  inter 
change  of  information  to  the  removal  of  prejudices,  which  might  perhaps 
sometimes  arise  from  local  circumstances."  * 

MONDAY,  FEBKUAKY  2. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  After  so  long  an  experience  of  your 
public  services,  I  am  naturally  led  at  this  moment  of  your 
departure  from  office  (which  it  has  always  been  my  wish  to 
prevent),  to  review  them.  In  every  relation,  which  you 
have  borne  to  me,  I  have  found  that  my  confidence  in  your 
talents,  exertions,  and  integrity  has  been  well  placed.  I 
the  more  freely  render  this  testimony  of  my  approbation, 
because  I  speak  from  opportunities  of  information,  which 
cannot  deceive  me,  and  which  furnish  satisfactory  proof  of 
your  title  to  public  regard.  My  most  earnest  wishes  for 
your  happiness  will  attend  you  in  your  retirement." — 
Washington  to  Alexander  Hamilton. 

Mr.  Hamilton  resigned  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  on  the  31st 
of  January.  Oliver  Wolcott,  Jr.,  was  appointed  his  successor  on  the  3d  of 
February. 


*  The  national  university  in  which  the  first  President  took  so  much  in 
terest,  and  towards  the  endowment  of  which  he  bequeathed  the  fifty  shares 
of  the  Potomac  Company  donated  to  him  by  the  State  of  Virginia,  has  not 
as  yet  been  established.  Several  attempts,  however,  have  been  made  to 
procure  the  proper  legislation,  but  no  positive  action  by  Congress  has  been 
taken.  The  site  selected  by  "Washington  is  now  occupied  by  the  National 
Observatory. 


1795]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  297 

THUKSDAY,  FEBKUAKY  19. 

At  Philadelphia :  Thanksgiving  Day.  Attends  Christ 
Church,  Second  Street  above  Market.* 

' '  On  a  thanksgiving  day  appointed  by  the  President  for  the  suppression 
of  the  western  insurrection, f  I  preached  a  sermon  in  his  presence.  The  sub 
ject  was  the  Connection  between  Keligion  and  Civil  Happiness.  It  was 
misrepresented  in  one  of  our  newspapers.  This  induced  the  publishing  of 
the  sermon,:};  with  a  dedication  to  the  President,  pointedly  pleading  his 
proclamation  in  favour  of  the  connection  affirmed.  .  .  . 

"The  father  of  our  country,  whenever  in  this  city,  as  well  during  the 
revolutionary  war  as  in  his  Presidency,  attended  divine  service  in  Christ 
Church  of  this  city ;  except  during  one  winter  [1781-82]  ;  when,  being  here 
for  the  taking  of  measures  with  Congress  towards  the  opening  of  the  next 
campaign,  he  rented  a  house  §  near  St.  Peter's  Church  [Third  and  Pine 
Streets],  then  in  parochial  union  with  Christ  Church.  During  that  season, 
he  attended  regularly  at  St.  Peter's.  His  behaviour  was  always  serious  and 
attentive ;  but  as  your  letter  seems  to  intend  an  inquiry  on  the  point  of 
kneeling  during  the  service,  I  owe  it  to  truth  to  declare,  that  I  never  saw 
him  in  the  said  attitude.  During  his  Presidency,  our  vestry  provided  him 
with  a  pew,  ten  yards  in  front  of  the  reading  desk.  It  was  habitually  occu 
pied  by  himself,  by  Mrs.  Washington,  who  was  regularly  a  communicant, 
and  by  his  secretaries." — William  White  to  the  Rev.  B.  B.  C.  Parker,  No 
vember  28,  1832. 


*  This  building,  erected  1727-44,  is  still  standing  in  perfect  preservation  ; 
present  rector,  Rev.  Charles  Ellis  Stevens. 

f  This  was  not  a  thanksgiving  day  appointed  especially  for  the  suppres 
sion  of  the  Western  or  Whiskey  Insurrection,  but  was  the  date  named  in 
the  President's  proclamation  of  January  1,  for  a  "  Day  of  Public  Thanks 
giving  and  Prayer,"  in  which  mention  was  made  of  the  "seasonable  con- 
troul  which  has  been  given  to  a  spirit  of  disorder  in  the  suppression  of  the 
late  insurrection." 

|  "  A  Sermon  on  the  Reciprocal  Influences  of  Civil  Policy  and  Religious 
Duty.  Delivered  in  Christ  Church,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  on  Thurs 
day,  the  19th  of  February,  1795,  Being  a  day  of  General  Thanksgiving. 
By  William  White,  D.D. ,  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania.  Philadelphia:  March  2,  1795."  8vo, 
pp.  36. 

\  No.  110  South  Third  Street,  between  Walnut  and  Spruce  Streets.  This 
house,  which  at  the  time  was  the  property  of  Benjamin  Chew,  was  taken 
down  about  1830.  The  house  which  now  stands  on  the  site  is  known  as 
No.  242  South  Third  Street. 


298  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1795 

FRIDAY,  FEBKUARY  20. 

At  Philadelphia:  "February  20. — Cash  paid  Mr  John 
Greenwood  of  the  City  of  New  York  in  full  for  his  services 
as  Dentist  to  the  present  date,  viz.  60  Dollars,  sent  by  Post 
in  B.  Notes." — Washington's  Cash-Book. 

This  early  practitioner  of  dentistry  in  America  was  the  son  of  Isaac 
Greenwood,  of  Boston,  the  first  to  follow  the  profession  in  that  city.  He 
enlisted  at  the  early  age  of  fifteen  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  was  in  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  served  in  the  expedition  to  Canada  under  General 
Arnold.  He  was  also  at  the  battle  of  Trenton,  and  afterward  entered  the 
naval  privateer  service,  in  which  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
Mr.  Greenwood  then  settled  in  New  York,  and  became  known  as  a  success 
ful  dentist ;  he  has  the  reputation  of  being  the  first  in  the  United  States  to 
strike  up  a  gold  plate  to  serve  as  a  base  for  artificial  teeth,  without  a 
knowledge  of  it  ever  having  been  done  before  that  time,  1799. 

John  Greenwood,  however,  is  best  known  as  being  the  dentist  of  the  first 
President,  his  services  beginning  at  New  York  in  1789,  at  which  time  he 
constructed  for  him  a  complete  set  of  teeth,  including  both  upper  and  lower 
jaws.  The  entire  upper  portion  was  carved  from  a  piece  of  sea-horse  or  hip 
popotamus  tusk ;  into  the  lower  portion,  worked  out  of  the  same  material, 
human  teeth  were  inserted  and  fixed  permanently  by  means  of  gold  pivots. 
He  afterward  constructed  other  sets  for  the  President. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  23. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  24. — Sunday  last  was  the 
Birth-day  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  when  he 
entered  into  the  Sixty-Fourth  year  of  his  age.  The  Auspi 
cious  Anniversary  was  yesterday  celebrated  with  every 
expression  of  respect  becoming  the  Members  of  a  Free  Re 
public  towards  the  Father  of  his  Country.  The  Members  of 
both  Houses  of  Congress — Foreign  Ministers — the  Rever 
end  Clergy,  and  other  Citizens,  and  respectable  Foreigners, 
assembled  at  the  House  of  the  President,  to  ofter  their  con 
gratulations. 

"  At  noon,  a  Federal  salute  was  fired  by  a  detachment  of 
the  Artillery — immediately  after  both  Branches  of  the  Leg 
islature  of  this  Commonwealth,  preceded  by  the  Governor, 
the  President  of  the  Senate  [William  Bingham],  and  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  [George  Latimer],  the  Offi- 


1795]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  299 

cers  of  the  Militia — and  the  Members  of  the  Cincinnati, 
went  in  procession  from  the  State  House,  escorted  by  a 
Military  Corps,  to  the  House  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States — to  present  their  felicitations  on  the  occasion." — 
Dunlap  and  Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  February  26. — On  Monday  last  [February  23]  the  anniversary  of  the 
President's  birth  was  celebrated.  The  artillery  announced  the  dawning  of 
the  day  by  a  federal  salute.  In  the  morning  the  President  was  waited  on 
by  Congress,  the  Cincinnati,  and  a  vast  number  of  citizens.  In  the  evening 
he  attended  at  a  ball  and  supper  given  in  honour  of  the  day,  by  the  City 
Dancing  Assembly.  The  rooms  were  crowded  by  a  brilliant  assemblage  of 
the  Fair  of  the  metropolis.  Near  150  ladies,  and  nearly  twice  the  number  of 
citizens  were  present.  A  greater  display  of  beauty  and  elegance  no  country, 
we  believe,  could  ever  boast  of.  Most  of  the  foreign  Ministers  attended 
with  their  ladies. 

"  After  the  supper  the  President  gave  the  following  toast :  '  The  Dancing 
Assembly  of  Philadelphia — May  the  members  thereof,  and  the  Fair  who 
honour  it  with  their  presence,  long  continue  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  amuse 
ment  so  innocent  and  agreeable.'  " — Idem. 

"The  President's  birth-day  was  celebrated  with  uncommon  zeal  and 
attachment,  and  I  never  saw  him  in  better  health  and  spirits.  The  crowds 
of  gentlemen  that  waited  on  him  in  the  day  were  innumerable,  and  in  the 
Assembly  at  night  it  was  scarcely  possible  to  move.  I  came  off  a  little 
after  eight,  having  business  of  great  importance  to  attend  to,  and  indeed 
the  room  was  much  too  crowded  to  be  comfortable. ' ' — James  Iredell  to  Mrs. 
Iredell,  February  26. 

FKIDAY,  FEBEUAKY  27. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  28,  1795.— I  received  [Feb 
ruary  24]  an  invitation  by  my  father  from  Mrs.  Washington 
to  visit  her,  and  Col.  [Thomas]  Hartley  politely  offered  to 
accompany  me  to  the  next  drawing-room  levee. 

"  On  this  evening  my  dress  was  white  brocade  silk, 
trimmed  with  silver,  and  white  silk,  high-heeled  shoes,  em 
broidered  with  silver,  and  a  light  blue  sash,  with  silver  cord 
and  tassel  tied  at  the  left  side.  My  watch  was  suspended 
at  the  right,  and  my  hair  was  in  its  natural  curls.  Sur 
mounting  all  was  a  small  white  hat  and  white  ostrich- 
feather,  confined  by  brilliant  band  and  buckle.  Punctual 
to  the  moment,  Col.  Hartley,  in  his  chariot,  arrived.  He 


300  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1795 

brought  with  him  Dr.  Price,  from  England,  who  has  sought 
America  as  an  asylum,  having  given  some  political  umbrage 
to  his  own  government. 

"The  hall,  stairs,  and  drawing-room  of  the  President's 
house  were  lighted  by  lamps  and  chandeliers.  Mrs.  Wash 
ington,  with  Mrs.  Knox,  sat  near  the  fire-place.  Other 
ladies  were  seated  on  sofas,  and  gentlemen  stood  in  the 
centre  of  the  room  conversing.  On  our  approach,  Mrs. 
Washington  arose  and  made  a  courtesy — the  gentlemen 
bowed  most  profoundly — and  I  calculated  my  declension  to 
her  own  with  critical  exactness.  The  President  soon  after, 
with  that  benignity  peculiarly  his  own,  advanced,  and  I 
arose  to  receive  and  return  his  compliments  with  the  respect 
and  love  my  heart  dictated.  He  seated  himself  beside  me, 
and  inquired  for  my  father,  a  severe  cold  having  detained 
him  at  home." — Charlotte  Chambers  to  Mrs.  James  Chambers. 

Charlotte  Chambers,  the  writer  of  the  above-quoted  letter,  was  the 
daughter  of  General  James  Chambers,  of  the  Pennsylvania  line,  and  grand 
daughter  of  Benjamin  Chambers,  the  founder  of  Chambersburg,  Pennsyl 
vania.  She  married  Israel  Ludlow  in  November,  1796.  In  a  subsequent 
letter,  dated  March  11,  also  to  her  mother,  referring  to  a  visit  paid  her  by 
Mrs.  Washington,  she  writes,  "  On  taking  leave,  she  observed  a  portrait  of 
the  President  hanging  over  the  fire-place,  and  said  '  she  had  never  seen  a 
correct  likeness  of  General  Washington.  The  only  merit  the  numerous 
portraits  of  him  possessed  was  their  resemblance  to  each  other.'  ' 

Miss  Chambers  was  also  present  at  the  birthnight  ball,  February  23,  of 
which,  in  a  letter  dated  the  25th,  she  gives  her  mother  the  following  descrip 
tion  :  *  "  Dr.  Kodman,  master  of  ceremonies,  met  us  at  the  door,  and  con 
ducted  us  to  Mrs.  Washington.  She  half  arose  as  we  made  our  passing 
compliments.  She  was  dressed  in  a  rich  silk,  but  entirely  without  orna 
ment,  except  the  animation  her  amiable  heart  gives  to  her  countenance. 
Next  her  were  seated  the  wives  of  the  foreign  ambassadors,  glittering  from 
the  floor  to  the  summit  of  their  headdress.  One  of  the  ladies  wore  three 
large  ostrich-feathers.  Her  brow  was  encircled  by  a  sparkling  fillet  of  dia 
monds  ;  her  neck  and  arms  were  almost  covered  with  jewels,  and  two 
watches  were  suspended  from  her  girdle,  and  all  reflecting  the  light  from  a 

*  These  letters  are  printed  in  a  volume  published  at  Philadelphia  in  1856, 
entitled  "  Memoir  of  Charlotte  Chambers,  by  her  Grandson  Louis  H. 
Garrard." 


1795]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  301 

hundred  directions.  Such  superabundance  of  ornament  struck  me  as  inju 
dicious  ;  we  look  too  much  at  the  gold  and  pearls  to  do  justice  to  the  lady. 
However,  it  may  not  be  in  conformity  to  their  individual  taste  thus  deco 
rating  themselves,  but  to  honor  the  country  they  represent. 

"  The  seats  were  arranged  like  those  of  an  amphitheatre,  and  cords  were 
stretched  on  each  side  of  the  room,  about  three  feet  from  the  floor,  to  pre 
serve  sufficient  space  for  the  dancers.  We  were  not  long  seated  when 
General  Washington  entered,  and  bowed  to  the  ladies  as  he  passed  round 
the  room.  'He  comes,  he  comes,  the  hero  comes!'*!  involuntarily  but 
softly  exclaimed.  When  he  bowed  to  me,  I  could  scarcely  resist  the  im 
pulse  of  my  heart,  that  almost  burst  through  my  bosom,  to  meet  him.  The 
dancing  soon  after  commenced." 

MONDAY,  MAKCH  9.f 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  am  directed  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of 
the  7th  inst.,  and  that  of  the  present  day ; — and  to  express 
to  you  his  regret  at  your  despair  of  bringing  your  plan  of  a 
national  monument  to  a  fortunate  issue." — Bartholomew 
Dandridge  to  Giuseppe  Ceracchi. 

Giuseppe  Ceracchi,  an  Italian  sculptor,  a  pupil  of  Can  ova,  came  to  this 
country  in  1791.  He  sought  the  aid  of  Congress  in  the  erection  of  a  monu 
ment  to  the  American  Revolution,  but  that  body  did  not  favor  the  design. 
Ceracchi  modelled  a  bust  of  Washington  from  life  in  1792,  which,  although 
rather  severe  in  style,  is  claimed  to  be  an  admirable  representation  of  the 
man.  The  mouth  is  particularly  remarkable  for  its  fidelity  of  expression. 
This  bust  is  owned  by  the  estate  of  the  late  Gouverneur  Kemble,  of  New 
York.  He  also  repeated  it  in  colossal  size.  Ceracchi  returned  to  Europe  in 
1795,  and  was  executed  in  1802  for  a  supposed  connection  with  an  attempt 
to  assassinate  Napoleon. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  29. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  March  30. — I  dined  yesterday  with 
the  President.  He  was  in  fine  health  and  spirits,  and  so 

*  The  first  line  of  a  song  written  by  Henry  Carey,  an  English  musician 
and  poet,  who  died  in  1743.  His  poems  were  first  published  at  London  in 
1713. 

f  "  March  9. — At  four  o'clock  with  the  Speaker  and  twenty-two  members 
of  the  [Pennsylvania]  House  [of  Representatives],  dined  with  President 
Washington.  He  was  exceedingly  affable  to  all." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltz- 
heimer. 


302  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1795 

were  Mrs.  Washington  and  the  whole  family.  There  is 
now  there  an  elderly  sister  of  Miss  Custis's  [Eliza  Parke 
Custis]  not  so  handsome  as  herself,  but  she  seems  to  be 
very  agreeable." — James  Iredell  to  Mrs.  Iredell. 

THUKSDAY,  APKIL  2. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  April  2. — We  dined  to-day  with  the 
President  and  Mrs.  Washington,  in  company  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hammond,  the  Chevalier  and  Madame  Frere  (who  is 
truly  an  elegant  worn  an)  Don  Philip  [Joseph  De]  Jaudennes 
and  his  lady,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Berckel,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Randolph,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolcott,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pinckney, 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coxe.  Madame  Frere  and  Madame 
Jaudennes  were  brilliant  with  diamonds." — Mrs.  William. 
Gushing  to . 

TUESDAY,  APEIL  14. 

Leaves  Philadelphia:  "April  16. — On  Tuesday  [April 
14]  the  President  of  the  United  States  set  out  from  this 
city  for  his  seat  at  Mount  Vernon." — Dunlap  and  Claypoole's 
American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  Tuesday,  April  14. — Left  Phila  for  Mt.  V.  reached  Wilmington. 
April  15. — Beached  Rogers  Susqa.  April  16. — Baltimore.  April  17. — 
Bladensburgh.  April  18. — George  Town.  April  19. — Mount  Yernon  and 
remained  there  until  the  26th." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  APKIL  26. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon :  "  April  26. — Came  to  George 
Town.  April  27. — In  the  federal  city.  April  28. — Arrived 
at  Bladensburgh.  April  29. — Baltimore.  April  30. — 
Rogers's — Susquehanna.  May  1. — Came  to  Wilmington. 
May  2. — Arrived  at  Philadelphia." —  Washington's  Diary. 

11  Philadelphia,  4th  May. — I  arrived  in  this  city  on  Saturday  [May  2]  at 
noon." — Washington  to  William  Pearce. 


1795]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  303 

MONDAY,  MAY  4. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  intended,  but  forgot  when  I  was  at 
Mount  Vernon,  to  measure  the  size  of  the  picture  frames 
in  the  parlour ;  which  contains  my  picture  * — Mrs.  "Wash 
ington — and  the  two  chiklr.  I  wish  you  to  do  it,  and  send 
me  the  account  in  your  next  letter.  Measure  the  frames 
(I  believe  they  are  all  of  a  size)  from  out  to  out;  and  then 
on  the  inside,  where  they  show  the  Canvas,  or  picture." — 
Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

SUNDAY,  MAY  10. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  I  am  sorry  to  find  by  your  last  reports 
that  there  has  been  two  deaths  in  the  family  since  I  left 
Mount  Vernon  ;  and  one  of  them  a  young  fellow. — I  hope 
every  necessary  care  and  attention  was  afforded  him. — I  ex 
pect  little  of  this  from  McKoy  [an  overseer], — or  indeed 
from  most  of  his  class ;  for  they  seem  to  consider  a  Negro 
much  in  the  same  light  as  they  do  the  brute  beasts,  on  the 
farms ;  and  often  treat  them  as  inhumanly." —  Washington  to 
William  Pearce. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  8. 

At  Philadelphia:  "June  9. — I  dined  yesterday  in  the 
family  way  with  the  President.  .  .  .  The  whole  family 
made  the  usual  inquiries  concerning  you  and  sent  you  the 
usual  compliments." — John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams. 

TUESDAY,  JUNE  16. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  June  18. — Mr.  Adet  was  presented  to 
the  President  on  Tuesday  [June  16],  and,  accompanied  by 

*  The  three-quarter-length  representing  Washington  in  the  costume  of  a 
colonel  in  the  Virginia  militia,  painted  by  Charles  Willson  Peale  at  Mount 
Vernon,  in  May,  1772,  the  first  original  portrait  of  the  Pater  Patrise.  George 
Washington  Parke  Custis,  referring  to  this  portrait  in  his  "  Kecollections," 
says,  "  This  splendid  and  most  interesting  picture  formed  the  principal  orna 
ment  of  the  parlor  at  Mount  Vernon  for  twenty-seven  years."  The  picture 
is  now  owned  by  General  George  W.  C.  Lee ;  the  original  study  for  the  head 
is  in  the  possession  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 


304  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1795 

the  Secretary  of  State  made  me  a  visit  immediately  after  his 
audience.  I  was  not  at  home,  but  in  Senate.  On  Wednes 
day  morning  I  returned  his  visit  at  Oeller's  hotel." — John 
Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams. 

Pierre  Auguste  Adet  succeeded  M.  Fauchet  as  minister  from  France  to 
the  United  States.  In  1797  he  broke  off  diplomatic  relations,  presenting 
the  note  of  the  Directory  declaring  that  France  would  treat  neutrals  as  they 
allowed  themselves  to  be  treated  by  the  English.  Before  returning  to  his 
own  country  he  issued  an  address  to  the  American  people  intended  to  inflame 
them  against  the  policy  of  their  government. 

FRIDAY,  JULY  3. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  The  treaty  of  Amity,  Commerce  and 
Navigation,  which  has  lately  been  before  the  Senate,  has,  as 
you  will  perceive,  made  its  public  entry  into  the  Gazettes  of 
this  City. — Of  course  the  merits,  and  demerits  of  it  will 
(especially  in  its  unfinished  state),  be  freely  discussed." — 
Washington  to  Alexander  Hamilton. 

Mr.  Jay  closed  his  English  mission  by  signing  a  treaty  on  November  19, 
1794.  The  treaty,  in  which,  for  the  sake  of  peace,  more  was  yielded  than 
gained,  was  long  on  its  passage,  for  it  was  not  received  by  the  President  till 
March  7,  a  few  days  after  the  adjournment  of  Congress.  Washington 
summoned  the  Senate  to  convene  on  Monday  the  8th  of  June,  and  on  that 
day  laid  before  it  the  treaty  and  accompanying  documents  ;  and  on  the  24th 
of  the  month,  after  a  minute  and  laborious  investigation,  the  Senate,  by 
precisely  a  constitutional  majority  (twenty  to  ten),  advised  and  consented  to 
its  conditional  ratification.  A  sketch  of  the  document  appeared  in  the 
Aurora  (June  29),  and  led  Senator  Stevens  Thomson  Mason,  of  Virginia,  a 
strong  opponent  of  the  treaty,  to  send  to  that  paper  his  copy,  and  on  July  1 
it  was  issued  by  Bache  in  a  pamphlet.  The  ratification  of  the  treaty  was 
signed  by  the  President  on  the  18th  of  August. 

SATURDAY,  JULY  4. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  July  6. — Saturday  last  being  the  An 
niversary  of  Independence,  the  same  was  celebrated  by  every 
friend  to  the  United  States.  The  Day  was  ushered  in  with 
ringing  of  bells,  which  continued  thro'  the  Day — The  mili 
tary  paraded.  Federal  Salutes  were  fired.  Public  Bodies 
dined  together — Congratulations  were  mutual,  and  the 


1795]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  305 

Father  of  his  Country,  received  the  Felicitations  of  every 
class  of  Citizens,  civil,  clerical  and  military." — Gazette  of 
the  United  States. 

FRIDAY,  JULY  10. 

At  Philadelphia :  Issues  a  proclamation  granting  a  full, 
free,  and  entire  pardon  to  all  persons  concerned  in  the 
"  Whiskey  Insurrection,"  in  Western  Pennsylvania,  who  had 
given  assurance  of  submission  to  the  laws  of  the  United 
States.  The  proclamation  was  not  published  till  the  6th  of 
August. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  15. 

Leaves  Philadelphia  :  "  July  15. — President  Washington 
about  eight  o'clock  this  morning  set  out  for  Mount  Vernon 
in  a  two-horse  phaeton  for  one  person,  his  family  in  a  coach 
and  four  horses,  and  two  servants  on  horseback  leading  his 
saddle  horse." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

"  July  15. — Left  Philaa  with  Mrs  Washington  &  my  family  for  Ml  Vernon 
— Dined  at  Chester  &  lodged  at  Wilmington.  July  16. — Breakfasted  at 
Christ*  dined  at  Elkton — &  lodged  at  Susquehanna — One  of  my  horses  over 
come  with  heat.  July  17. — Breakfasted  before  I  set  out  dined  at  Hartford 
&  lodged  at  Websters. — bro*  on  the  sick  horse  led.  July  18. — Breakfasted 
in  Baltim6 — dined  &  lodged  at  Spurriers  where  my  sick  horse  died.  July 
19. — Breakfasted  at  Vanhornes— dined  at  Bladensburgh  &  lodged  in  Geo : 
Town.  July  20. — After  doing  business  with  the  Com"  of  the  fed1  City  I 
proceeded  on  my  journey  &  got  home  to  dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  JULY  18. 

At  Baltimore  :  Receives  the  resolutions,  denouncing  the 
Jay  Treaty,  passed  by  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Boston, 
held  on  the  10th  of  the  month.  The  resolutions  were  en 
closed  to  him  in  a  letter  from  the  selectmen  of  that  town 
dated  the  13th. 

As  any  negotiation  or  amicable  arrangements  with  Great  Britain  were 
extremely  unpopular,  the  consent  of  the  Senate  to  the  ratification  of  the 
treaty  was  met  with  virulent  opposition,  and  meetings  in  Boston,  New  York, 

20 


306  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1795 

Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Charleston,  and  other  parts  of  the  country  were 
held  and  addresses  and  resolutions  against  the  measure  forwarded  to  the 
President.  The  first  meeting  of  this  character  was  the  one  held  in  Boston. 
Addresses  to  the  chief  magistrate  and  resolutions  of  town  and  country 
meetings  were  not  the  only  means  which  were  employed  on  this  occasion 
to  enlist  the  American  people  against  the  measures  which  had  been  advised 
by  the  Senate.  An  immense  number  of  essays  in  opposition  were  written, 
which  the  friends  of  the  instrument  met  by  counter-efforts,  and  the  gazettes 
of  the  day  are  replete  with  appeals  to  the  passions  and  to  the  reason  of  those 
who  are  the  ultimate  arbiters  of  every  political  question.. 

FKIDAY,  JULY  24. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  have  not,  as  I  mentioned  to  you 
in  my  last,  heard  much  respecting  the  treaty  since  I  left 
Philadelphia.  At  Baltimore  I  remained  no  longer  than  to 
breakfast.  In  Georgetown  my  whole  time  was  spent  in 
business  with  the  commissioners ;  and  in  Alexandria  I  did 
not  stop.  Yet  the  same  leaven,  that  fermented  the  town  of 
Boston,  is  at  work,  I  am  informed,  in  other  places;  but 
whether  it  will  produce  the  same  fruit  remains  to  be  de 
cided." —  Washington  to  JSdmund  Randolph. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  The  contents  of  your  letters  of  the 
21st  and  24th  instant,  which  I  received  by  Monday's  post, 
the  importance  of  some  of  their  enclosures,  and  the  per 
turbed  state  of  men's  minds  respecting  the  late  treaty  with 
Great  Britain,  together  with  the  proceedings  in  some  of  the 
principal  towns  to  embarrass  the  business,  have  determined 
me  to  repair  to  the  seat  of  government." — Washington  to 
Edmund  Randolph. 

A  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  for  the  purpose  of  passing 
resolutions  against  the  treaty,  was  held  at  the  State-House  on  July  25.  After 
the  business  of  the  meeting  was  closed,  a  copy  of  the  treaty  was  suspended 
on  a  pole  and  carried  about  the  streets  by  a  company  of  people,  who  at 
length  stopped  in  front  of  the  British  minister's  house  (Mr.  Hammond)  and 
there  burnt  the  treaty,  and  also  before  the  door  of  the  British  consul 
(Phineas  Bond),  amidst  the  huzzas  and  acclamations  of  the  populace. 


1795]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  307 

THURSDAY,  AUGUST  6. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon:  "August  6. — Left  home  on  my 
return  to  Philadelphia — met  the  Potok  C°  at  Geo  :  Town  & 
lodged  there.  August  1. — Breakfasted  at  Bladensburgh — 
dind  at  Vanhornes  &  lodged  at  Spur™.  August  8. — Break 
fasted  at  Baltimore — and  dined  and  loged  at  Websters. 
August  9. — Breakfasted  at  Hartford  dined  at  Susquehanna 
and  lodged  at  Charles  town.  August  10. — Breakfasted  at 
Elkton — Dined  at  Newcastle  and  lodged  at  Wilmington. 
August  11. — Breakfasted  at  Chester  and  dined  in  PhilV — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"Expenses  of  my  Journey  to  Philadelphia. — August  6. — At  Wise's  3.9. 
Turnpike  1.8.  Ferriage  Geo  :  Town  7.6;  August  1. — Bill  at  Suters  2.6.7. 
Servants  Do  3.9.  Bill  at  Bladensb'g  8.9.  Servants  at  Do  3.10.  Bill  at 
Vanhornes  15.6.  Servants  Do.  1.10$.  Getting  horses  out  of  the  Mire  1.7.6  ; 
August  8. — Bill  at  Spurriers  1.14.0.  Servants  Do  11. 7$.  Ferriage  Elk- 
ridge  2.8.  Bill  at  Baltimore  14.1.  Servants  at  Do  3.9  ;  August  9. — Bill  at 
Websters  1.10.6.  Servants  at  Do  2.0.  Bill  at  Hartford  8.9.  Servants  Do 
3.0.  Bill  at  Susquehanna  14.8.  Servants  at  Do  1.10$  ;  August  10. — Bill  at 
Charlestown  1.1.8.  Servants  at  D  1.10$.  Bill  at  Elkton  14.6.  Servants  at 
Do  1.10$.  Porter  at  Mitchells  3.c.  Bill  at  the  Bear  3.10$.  Ditto  at  New 
castle  11.10.  Ferry  over  Christa  2.10;  August  11. — Bill  at  Wilmington 
1.2.10.  Servants  Do  11.7$.  Ferry  over  Brandy-Wine  2.10.  Bill  at  Chester 
10.9.  Servants  Do  2.0.  Ferry  over  Schuylkill  1.6.  Sundries  pd  for  be 
sides  the  above  1.10.11." — Washington's  Memorandum-Book. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  11. 

At  Philadelphia:  "August  12. — The  President  of  the 
United  States  arrived  in  town  yesterday  at  noon." — Dunlap 
and  Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

On  the  day  after  the  arrival  of  the  President  at  Philadelphia  (August 
12)  the  question  respecting  the  immediate  ratification  of  the  treaty  was 
brought  before  the  Cabinet.  "  The  secretary  of  state  maintained  singly  the 
opinion,  that  during  the  existence  of  the  provision  order,  and  during  the 
war  between  Britain  and  France,  this  step  ought  not  to  be  taken.  This 
opinion  did  not  prevail.  The  resolution  was  adopted  to  ratify  tho  treaty 
immediately,  and  to  accompany  the  ratification  with  a  strong  memorial 
against  the  provision  order,  which  should  convey  in  explicit  terms  the  sense 
of  the  American  government  on  that  subject.  By  this  course,  the  views  of 
the  executive  were  happily  accomplished.  The  order  was  revoked,  and  the 


308  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1795 

ratifications  of  the  treaty  were  exchanged." — MARSHALL'S  Life  of  Wash 
ington,  vol.  v.  p.  633. 

THURSDAY,  AUGUST  20. 

At  Philadelphia:  "Your  resignation  of  the  office  of 
State  is  received.  Candor  induces  me  to  give  you  in  a  few 
words  the  following  narrative  of  facts.  The  letter  from  M. 
Fauchet,  with  the  contents  of  which  you  were  made  ac 
quainted  yesterday,  was,  as  you  supposed,  an  intercepted 
one.  It  was  sent  by  Lord  Grenville  to  Mr.  Hammond,  by 
him  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
by  him  shown  to  the  Secretary  of  "War  and  the  Attorney- 
General  ;  and  a  translation  thereof  was  made  by  the  former 
for  me." —  Washington  to  JSdmund  Randolph. 

Late  in  March,  1795,  a  French  corvette  was  captured  by  a  British  man- 
of-war  off  Penmarch,  and  some  of  M.  Fauchet's  despatches  to  his  govern 
ment  were  taken.  These  despatches  were  sent  to  the  British  minister,  Mr. 
Hammond,  and  hy  him  given  to  Mr.  Wolcott,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
July  28.  The  intercepted  despatch  was  No.  10,  dated  10  Brumaire  (October 
31,  1794),  and  purported  to  give  some  "precieuses  confessions"  of  Mr.  Ran 
dolph  on  the  Western  insurrection.  The  inference  from  the  general  tenor  of 
the  despatch  was,  that  the  Secretary  of  State  had  shown  himself  accessible  to 
a  bribe  from  the  French  minister,  and  that  he  was  at  heart  favorable  to  the 
Western  insurrection,  either  from  party  motives  or  from  others  not  known. 
The  suspicion  thus  excited  was  strengthened  by  the  fact  that  he  had  changed 
his  mind  respecting  the  ratification  of  the  "  Jay  treaty,"  and  had  suggested 
difficulties  and  promoted  delay. 

M.  Fauchet  wrote  a  declaration,  however,  as  soon  as  it  was  known  to  him 
that  his  letter  had  been  intercepted,  and  when  he  was  on  the  point  of  leaving 
the  country  to  return  to  France,  denying  in  the  most  positive  terms  that 
Mr.  Randolph  had  ever  indicated  to  him  a  willingness  to  receive  money  for 
personal  objects,  and  affirming  that  in  his  letter  he  had  no  intention  of  say 
ing  anything  to  the  disadvantage  of  Mr.  Randolph's  character. 

On  August  19,  in  the  presence  of  Messrs.  Wolcott  and  Pickering,  Wash 
ington  gave  to  Mr.  Randolph  the  intercepted  despatch,  and  the  Secretary 
requested  an  opportunity  to  throw  his  ideas  on  paper.  Instead  of  so  doing, 
he  sent  in  his  resignation  that  evening. 

SATURDAY,  AUGUST  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  The  seaport  towns,  or  rather  parts  of 
them,  are  involved,  and  are  endeavouring  as  much  as  in 


1795]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  309 

them  lies  to  involve  the  community  at  large,  in  a  violent 
opposition  to  the  treaty  with  Great  Britain,  which  is  ratified 
as  far  as  the  measure  depends  upon  me.  The  general 
opinion,  however,  as  far  as  I  am  able  to  come  at  it  is,  that 
the  current  is  turning." — Washington  to  James  Ross. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  8. 

Leaves  Philadelphia :  "September  10. — Tuesday  last  [Sep 
tember  8]  the  President  of  the  United  States  set  out  from 
this  city  for  Mount  Vernon." — Dunlap  and  Claypoole's  Amer 
ican  Daily  Advertiser. 

"September  8. — Left  Phil*  for  Ml  Vernon  dined  at  Chester — &  lodged  at 
"Wilmington.  September  9. — Breakfasted  at  Christiana  dined  at  Elkton — & 
lodged  at  Charlestown.  September  10. — Breakfasted  at  Susquehanna  (MrB 
Rogers's)  dined  at  Harford — &  loged  at  Websters.  September  11. — Break 
fasted  at  Baltimore  dined  &  lodged  at  Spurriers.  September  12. — Break 
fasted  at  Van  Horns  Dined  at  Bladensburgh— &  lodged  at  George  Town. 
September  13. — Breakfasted  in  George  Town  and  reached  Ml  Vernon  to 
dinner. ' ' —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBER  20. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "If  any  power  on  earth  could,  or 
the  Great  Power  above  would,  erect  the  standard  of  infalli 
bility  in  political  opinions,  there  is  no  being  that  inhabits 
this  terrestrial  globe,  that  would  resort  to  it  with  more 
eagerness  than  myself,  so  long  as  I  remain  a  servant  of  the 
public.  But  as  I  have  found  no  better  guide  hitherto,  than 
upright  intentions  and  close  investigation,  I  shall  adhere  to 
those  maxims,  while  I  keep  the  watch ;  leaving  it  to  those, 
who  will  come  after  me,  to  explore  new  ways,  if  they  like 
or  think  them  better." — Washington  to  Henry  Knox. 

FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  25. 

At  Alexandria :  "  September  25. — Went  to  Alexandria — 
dined  with  Mr  &  M™  Lear.*  September  26. — Returned  home 
to  dinner." —  Washington's  Diary. 

*  Tobias  Lear  married  Fanny  Washington,  widow  of  George  Augustine 
"Washington,  early  in  August,  1795.  His  first  wife,  who  died  at  Philadel- 


310  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1795 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBER  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  shall  not,  whilst  I  have  the  honor 
to  administer  the  government,  bring  a  man  into  any  office 
of  consequence  knowingly,  whose  political  tenets  are  ad 
verse  to  the  measures,  which  the  general  government  are 
pursuing;  for  this,  in  my  opinion,  would  be  a  sort  of  polit 
ical  suicide.  That  it  would  embarrass  its  movements  is 
most  certain.  But  of  two  men  equally  well  affected  to 
the  true  interests  of  their  country,  of  equal  abilities,  and 
equally  disposed  to  lend  their  support,  it  is  the  part  of  pru 
dence  to  give  the  preference  to  him,  against  whom  the 
least  clamor  can  be  excited." — Washington  to  Timothy  Pick 
ering. 

FRIDAY,  OCTOBER  9. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  can  most  religiously  aver  I  have 
no  wish,  that  is  incompatible  with  the  dignity,  happiness, 
and  true  interest  of  the  people  of  this  country.  My  ardent 
desire  is,  and  my  aim  ha"s  been,  as  far  as  depended  upon  the 
executive  department,  to  comply  strictly  with  all  our  en 
gagements,  foreign  and  domestic ;  but  to  keep  the  United 
States  free  from  political  connexions  with  every  other  coun 
try,  to  see  them  independent  of  all  and  under  the  influence 
of  none.  In  a  word,  I  want  an  American  character,  that 
the  powers  of  Europe  may  be  convinced  we  act  for  ourselves, 
and  not  for  others." —  Washington  to  Patrick  Henry. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  12. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  shall  set  out  for  Philadelphia 
this  day ;  but  business  with  the  commissioners  of  the  Fed 
eral  City  will  detain  me  in  George  Town  to-morrow,  and  of 
course  keep  me  a  day  longer  from  the  seat  of  government, 
than  I  expected." —  Washington  to  Timothy  Pickering. 

phia  July  28,  1793,  was  Mary  Long,  of  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  his 
native  place. 


17951  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  311 

"October  12. — Set  out  for  Phila.  October  13. — Stayed  at  Geo  :  Town. 
October  14. — Lodged  at  Spurriers.  October  16.* — Lodged  at  Websters. 
October  17. — Lodged  at  Hartford.  October  18. — Lodged  at  Elkton.  October 
19. — Lodged  at  Wilmington.  October  20. — Arrived  at  Phil." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  20. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  October  21.— Yesterday  afternoon  THE 
PRESIDENT  arrived  in  town  from  the  Southward." — 
Gazette  of  the  United  Stales. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  25. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  want  a  Green  Pocket  book,  wch  is 
to  be  found  in  the  hair  trunk,  which  is  usually  put  on  my 
writing  Table  in  the  Study,  with  my  Land  papers. — The 
key  of  this  trunk  is  under  the  lid  of  the  writing  Table. — it 
is  tied  to  a  bunch  of  other  keys  by  a  twine. — This  Pocket 
book  is  of  green  parchment,  and  contains  the  courses,  and 
distances  of  many  surveys  of  the  grounds  &c  in,  and  about 
my  farms." — Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

This  book,  which  contains  seventy-eight  closely  written  pages  in  the 
handwriting  of  Washington,  was  sold  at  public  sale  in  Philadelphia,  De 
cember,  1890,  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  The  sale  was  made  by 
order  of  the  administrator  of  the  estate  of  the  widow  of  Lorenzo  Lewis, 
who  was  the  son  of  Lawrence  Lewis  and  Nelly  Custis.  The  sale  included 
many  articles  from  the  household  at  Mount  Vernon  which  were  inherited 
by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lawrence  Lewis. 

WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  11. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "November  13.— MARRIED.  On  Wed 
nesday  last  [November  11],  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  [Robert]  BLACK- 
WELL,  Major  WILLIAM  JACKSON,  to  Miss  ELIZA 
WILLING,  daughter  of  Thomas  Willing,  Esq.  President 
of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States." — Gazette  of  the  United 
States. 

*"  Baltimore,  October  17. — Yesterday  morning  the  President  of  the 
United  States  passed  through  this  town  on  his  way  to  the  seat  of  govern 
ment.  We  with  pleasure  add,  that  this  venerable  patriot  appeared  in  per 
fect  health." — Gazette  of  the  United  States,  October  20. 


312  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1795 

"  The  ceremony  was  performed  by  Bishop  White,  assisted  by  his  associate, 
Dr.  Blackwell.  Among  those  present  were  General  and  Mrs.  Washington, 
Robert  Morris  and  his  wife,  Hamilton,  Lincoln,  Knox,  Vicomte  de  Noailles, 
the  brother-in-law  of  Lafayette,  and  many  others  who  then  added  so  much 
to  the  attraction  of  Philadelphia  society." — Pennsylvania  Magazine,  vol.  ii. 
p.  366. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  19. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  The  office  of  Attorney-General  of  the 
United  States  is  not  yet  filled.  The  reason  why  it  is  not, 
General  Lee  at  my  request,  will  frankly  relate  to  you.  If 
you  could  make  it  convenient,  and  agreeable  to  yourself  to 
accept  it,  I  should  derive  pleasure  therefrom,  both  from 
public  and  private  considerations." — Washington  to  Charles 
Lee. 

Charles  Lee,  of  Virginia,  brother  of  General  Henry  Lee,  was  appointed 
Attorney-General  on  December  10,  succeeding  William  Bradford,  who  died 
August  23,  and  on  the  same  day  Timothy  Pickering  was  appointed  Secretary 
of  State  in  the  place  of  Edmund  Kandolph.  The  office  of  Secretary  of  War 
was  filled  January  27,  1796,  by  the  appointment  of  James  McHenry,  of 
Maryland. 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBEK  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  It  was  with  sincere  pleasure  I  re 
ceived  your  letter  from  Boston ;  and,  with  the  heart  of 
affection,  I  welcome  you  to  this  country." —  Washington  to 
George  Washington  Lafayette. 

George  Washington  Lafayette,  only  son  of  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette, 
came  to  the  United  States  late  in  the  summer  of  1795,  accompanied  by  his 
preceptor  M.  Prestel.  He  landed  at  Boston,  and  immediately  informed 
Washington  of  the  fact,  but  reasons  of  state  prevented  the  President  from 
inviting  him  to  his  house,  which  was  his  first  impulse.  After  leaving  Boston, 
young  Lafayette  (he  was  barely  sixteen  years  of  age)  lived  with  his  tutor 
for  a  while  in  the  vicinity  of  New  York,  in  comparative  seclusion.  Con 
gress  at  length  took  cognizance  of  his  presence  in  the  country,  and  on  the 
18th  of  March,  1796,  the  House  of  Representatives  passed  a  resolution 
directing  a  committee  to  inquire  into  the  matter,  and  to  report  such  measures 
as  would  be  proper  "  to  evince  the  grateful  sense  entertained  by  this  country 
for  the  services  of  his  father."  This  committee,  through  its  chairman  Ed 
ward  Livingston,  advised  him  to  come  to  the  seat  of  government,  which  he 
did,  remaining  in  Philadelphia  until  the  following  spring,  avoiding  society 


1795]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  313 

as  much  as  possible,  when  Washington,  on  becoming  a  private  citizen,  re 
ceived  him  into  his  family  as  if  he  had  been  his  own  child.  He  remained 
with  the  family  until  early  in  October,  1797,  when  news  of  the  release  of  his 
father  from  prison  caused  him  to  leave  for  the  seaboard  to  depart  for  France. 
In  1824  he  accompanied  his  father  on  his  visit  to  the  United  States. 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  6. 

At  Philadelphia:  "By  Thursday's  post  I  was  favored 
with  your  letter  of  the  27th  ultimo,  enclosing  a  Declaration 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  Maryland.  At  any  time  the 
expression  of  such  a  sentiment  would  have  been  considered 
as  highly  honorable  and  flattering.  At  the  present,  when 
the  voice  of  malignancy  is  so  high-toned,  and  no  attempts 
are  left  unessayed  to  destroy  all  confidence  in  the  constituted 
authorities  of  this  country,  it  is  peculiarly  grateful  to  my 
sensibility;  and,  coming  spontaneously,  and  with  the  una 
nimity  it  has  done  from  so  respectable  a  representation  of 
the  people,  it  adds  weight  as  well  as  pleasure  to  the  act." — 
Washington  to  John  H.  Stone,  Governor  of  Maryland. 

The  Declaration  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Maryland,  referred  to  in  this 
letter,  was  expressed  in  the  following  language,  and  was  unanimously 
adopted  by  the  House  of  Delegates  and  the  Senate. 

"  Resolved  unanimously,  that  the  General  Assembly  of  Maryland,  im 
pressed  with  the  liveliest  sense  of  the  important  and  disinterested  services 
rendered  to  his  country  by  the  President  of  the  United  States ;  convinced 
that  the  prosperity  of  every  free  government  is  promoted  by  the  existence  of 
rational  confidence  between  the  people  and  their  trustees,  and  is  injured  by 
misplaced  suspicion  and  ill-founded  jealousy  ;  considering  that  public  virtue 
receives  its  best  reward  in  the  approving  voice  of  a  grateful  people,  arid  that, 
when  this  reward  is  denied  to  it,  the  noblest  incentive  to  great  and  honor 
able  actions,  to  generous  zeal  and  magnanimous  perseverance,  is  destroyed ; 
observing,  with  deep  concern,  a  series  of  efforts,  by  indirect  insinuation,  or 
open  invective  to  detach  from  the  first  magistrate  of  the  Union  the  well- 
earned  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens  ;  think  it  their  duty  to  declare,  and 
they  do  hereby  declare,  their  unabated  reliance  on  the  integrity ,  judgment, 
and  patriotism  of  the  President  of  the  United  States. ' ' 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  8. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  8. — The  House  [Pennsyl 
vania  Legislature]  adjourned  at  noon  and  proceeded  to 


314  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1795 

Congress  Hall,  where  President  Washington  delivered  [in 
the  Hall  of  the  House]  his  address  to  the  Senate  and 
House." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

William  Cobbett  (Peter  Porcupine),  who  was  present  on  this  occasion, 
says  in  his  pamphlet  entitled  "A  Prospect  from  the  Congress-Gallery," 
published  at  Philadelphia  in  1796,  "When  the  President  arrived  at  the 
House  this  day.  he  found  it  in  that  state  of  composed  gravity,  of  respectful 
silence,  for  which  the  Congress  is  so  remarkable,  and  which,  whatever  wit 
lings  may  say,  is  the  surest  mark  of  sound  understanding. — The  gallery  was 
crowded  with  anxious  spectators,  whose  orderly  behaviour  was  not  the  least 
pleasing  part  of  the  scene. 

"  The  President  is  a  timid  speaker:  he  is  a  proof,  among  thousands,  that 
superior  genius,  wisdom,  and  courage,  are  ever  accompanied  with  excessive 
modesty.  His  situation  was  at  this  time  almost  entirely  new.  Never,  till  a 
few  months  preceding  this  session,  had  the  tongue  of  the  most  factious 
slander  dared  to  make  a  public  attack  on  his  character.  This  was  the  first 
time  he  had  ever  entered  the  walls  of  Congress  without  a  full  assurance  of 
meeting  a  welcome  from  every  heart.  He  now  saw,  even  among  those  to 
whom  he  addressed  himself,  numbers  who,  to  repay  all  his  labours,  all  his 
anxious  cares  for  their  welfare,  were  ready  to  thwart  his  measures,  and  pre 
sent  him  the  cup  of  humiliation,  filled  to  the  brim.  When  he  came  to  that 
part  of  his  speech,  where  he  mentions  the  treaty  with  His  Britannic  Majesty, 
he  cast  his  eyes  towards  the  gallery. — It  was  not  the  look  of  indignation  and 
reproach,  but  of  injured  virtue,  which  is  ever  ready  to  forgive.  I  was 
pleased  to  observe,  that  not  a  single  murmur  of  disapprobation  was  heard 
from  the  spectators  that  surrounded  me;  and,  if  there  were  some  amongst 
them,  who  had  assisted  at  the  turbulent  town-meetings,  I  am  persuaded,  they 
were  sincerely  penitent  When  he  departed,  every  look  seemed  to  say  :  God 
prolong  his  precious  life." 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  12. 

At  Philadelphia :  Is  waited  on  by  the  Senate,  and  the 
Vice-President,  in  its  name,  presents  him  with  an  answer 
to  his  address. 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  13. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  When  you  receive  the  money  for  my 
last  years  flour  and  Corn,  I  wish  that  every  demand,  of 
whatsoever  nature  or  kind,  may  be  discharged. — I  never 
like  to  owe  anything,  lest  I  might  be  called  upon  for  pay 
ment  when  I  am  not  possessed  of  the  means. — A  Dun, 


1795]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  315 

would  not  be  agreeable  to  me,  at  any  time ; — and  not  to  pay 
money  when  it  is  due,  and  might  really  be  wanting,  would 
hurt  my  feelings." — Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  17. 

At  Philadelphia :  Is  waited  on  by  the  House  of  Repre 
sentatives  of  the  United  States,  with  an  answer  to  his 
address. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "It  is  wellknown,  that  peace  has  been 
(to  borrow  a  modern  phrase)  the  order  of  the  day  with  me 
since  the  disturbances  in  Europe  first  commenced.  My  pol 
icy  has  been,  and  will  continue  to  be,  while  I  have  the  honor 
to  remain  in  the  administration,  to  maintain  friendly  terms 
with,  but  be  independent  of,  all  the  nations  of  the  earth ; 
to  share  in  the  broils  of  none:  to  fulfil  our  own  engage- 

7  O     O 

rnents;  to  supply  the  wants  and  be  carriers  for  them  all; 
being  thoroughly  convinced,  that  it  is  our  policy  and  inter 
est  to  do  so.  Nothing  short  of  self-respect,  and  that  justice 
which  is  essential  to  a  national  character,  ought  to  involve 
us  in  war ;  for  sure  I  am,  if  this  country  is  preserved  in 
tranquility  twenty  years  longer,  it  may  bid  defiance  in  a 
just  cause  to  any  power  whatever;  such  in  that  time  will 
be  its  population,  wealth,  and  resources." — Washington  to 
Gouverneur  Morris. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  24. 

At  Philadelphia :  "December  26. — Last  Thursday  [Decem 
ber  24]  I  had  the  honor  of  dining  with  the  President,  in 
company  with  the  Vice-President,  the  Senators  and  Dele 
gates  of  Massachusetts,  and  some  other  members  of  Con 
gress,  about  20  in  all." — Theophilus  Bradbury  to  Mrs.  Thomas 
Hooper. 

In  continuing  this  letter  to  his  daughter  Harriet,  wife  of  Major  Thomas 
Hooper,  the  writer,  who  was  a  member  of  Congress  from  Essex  County, 


316  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1795 

Massachusetts,  says,  "  In  the  middle  of  the  table  was  placed  a  piece  of  table 
furniture  about  six  feet  long  and  two  feet  wide,  rounded  at  the  ends.  It 
was  either  of  wood  gilded,  or  polished  metal,  raised  only  about  an  inch, 
with  a  silver  rim  round  it  like  that  round  a  tea  board  ;  in  the  centre  was  a 
pedestal  of  plaster  of  Paris  with  images  upon  it,  and  on  each  end  figures, 
male  and  female,  of  the  same.  It  was  very  elegant  and  used  for  ornament 
only.  The  dishes  were  placed  all  around,  and  there  was  an  elegant  variety 
of  roast  beef,  veal,  turkeys,  ducks,  fowls,  hams,  &c.  ;  puddings,  jellies, 
oranges,  apples,  nuts,  almonds,  figs,  raisins,  and  a  variety  of  wines  and 
punch.  We  took  our  leave  at  six,  more  than  an  hour  after  the  candles 
were  introduced.  No  lady  but  Mrs.  Washington  dined  with  us.  We  were 
waited  on  by  four  or  five  men  servants  dressed  in  livery." 


1796. 


FRIDAY,  JANUARY  1. 

At  Philadelphia :  Receives  from  M.  Adet,  the  minister 
from  France,  the  colors  of  France,  sent  by  the  Committee 
of  Public  Safety  of  the  National  Convention  as  a  token  of 
friendship  to  the  United  States.* 

The  flag,  which  was  directed  to  be  placed  in  the  archives  of  the  govern 
ment,  is  described  as  follows  in  the  papers  of  the  day  :  "  The  flag  is  tricolor, 
made  of  the  richest  silk  and  highly  ornamented  with  allegorical  paintings. 
In  the  middle,  a  cock  is  represented,  the  emblem  of  France  standing  on  a 
thunderbolt.  At  two  corners  diagonally  opposite  are  represented  two  bomb 
shells  bursting,  at  the  other  two  corners,  other  military  emblems.  Round 
the  whole  is  a  rich  border  of  oak  leaves,  alternately  yellow  and  green,  the 
first  shaded  with  brown  and  heightened  with  gold ;  the  latter  shaded  with 
black  and  relieved  with  silver ;  in  this  border  are  entwined  warlike  musical 
instruments.  The  edge  is  ornamented  with  a  rich  gold  fringe.  The  staff  is 
covered  with  black  velvet  crowned  with  a  golden  pike  and  enriched  with 
the  tricolor  cravatte  and  a  pair  of  tassels  worked  in  gold  and  the  three 
national  colors." 

SUNDAY,  JANUARY  3. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  am  not  disposed  to  take  any  thing 
less  for  my  flour  than  it  sells  at  here  (allowing  for  freight 
and  Insurance)  for  if  it  is  well  manufactured,  it  will  pass 
Inspection  in  this  Market,  and  of  course  command  the  price 
of  other  flour,  without  the  credit  which  is  required  in  Alex 
andria  and  would  be  for  my  interest  to  bring  it  hither, 
rather  than  sell  at  an  under  rate." —  Washington  to  William 
Pearce. 


*liJany.  1,  1796. — Remarkably  mild  and  pleasant — perfectly  clear.  Re 
ceived  the  National  Colours  from  Mr  Adet  the  Minister  Plenipo.  to  day : 
Much  company  visited." — Washington's  Diary. 

317 


318  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1796 

SUNDAY,  JANUARY  17. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  am  under  no  concern  for  the  fall 
which  has  taken  place  in  the  price  of  flour — that  it  will  be 
up  again,  and  higher  than  ever  in  the  spring  there  is  but 
little  doubt — indeed  some  well  informed  Merchants  declare 
they  should  not  be  surprized  to  find  it  at  twenty  dollars  pr 
Barrel  at  that  season. 

"  There  can  be  no  question  in  my  mind  that  herrings  will 
be  at  10/.  pr  Thousand  and  Shads  at  three  dollars  at  least  pr 
hundred  for  which  reason,  my  advice  to  you  is,  not  to  take 
less  from  Mr  Smith,  or  any  other  who  may  offer  to  contract, 
beforehand." —  Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  1. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  feel  obliged  by  the  expression  of 
your  concern  for  the  attacks,  which  have  been  made  upon 
my  administration.  If  the  enlightened  and  virtuous  part 
of  the  community  will  make  allowances  for  my  involuntary 
errors,  I  will  promise,  that  they  shall  have  no  cause  to  ac 
cuse  me  of  wilful  ones.  Hoping  for  the  former,  I  feel  no 
concern  on  account  of  the  latter." — Washington  to  Oliver 
Wolcott,  Governor  of  Connecticut. 

THUKSDAY,  FEBEUAKY  11. 

At  Philadelphia:  "February  13. — Dr.  Priestly  is  here. 
I  drank  tea  with  him  at  the  President's  on  Thursday  even 
ing  [February  11].  He  says  he  always  maintained  against 
Dr.  Price,  that  old  age  was  the  pleasantest  part  of  life,  and 
he  finds  it  so." — John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams. 


Joseph  Priestley,  LL.D.,  scientist  and  dissenting  minister,  came  to 
America  in  June,  1794,  and  settled  at  Northumberland,  Pennsylvania, 
making  his  home  with  his  sons  who  had  preceded  him.  Dr.  Priestley  often 
preached  at  Philadelphia,  and  in  the  spring  of  1796  delivered  in  that  city  a 
series  of  "Discourses  relating  to  the  Evidences  of  Eevealed  Religion," 
which  were  published  the  same  year.  His  friend  Richard  Price,  D.D., 
LL.D.,  to  whom  allusion  is  made,  was  the  author  of  a  pamphlet  entitled 


1796]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  319 

"  Observations  on  the  Nature  of  Civil  Liberty,  Principles  of  Government, 
and  the  Justice  and  Policy  of  the  War  with  America,"  published  at  London 
and  Boston  in  1776,  and  of  which  sixty  thousand  copies  were  distributed. 
Dr.  Price  also  published,  in  1785,  li  Observations  on  the  Importance  of  the 
American  Kevolution  and  the  Means  of  making  it  a  Benefit  to  the  World." 
He  died  in  London,  England,  March  19,  1791. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  12. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  13. — I  went  with  Charles 
last  night  to  the  drawing  room.  As  the  evening  was  fair 
and  mild,  there  was  a  great  circle  of  ladies  and  a  greater  of 
gentlemen.  General  Wayne  was  there  in  glory.*  This 
man's  feelings  must  be  worth  a  guinea  a  minute.  The 
Pennsylvanians  claim  him  as  theirs,  and  show  him  a 
marked  respect." — John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams. 

"Philadelphia,  February  8. — On  Saturday  last  [February  6],  about  five 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  arrived  in  this  city,  after  an  absence  of  more  than 
three  years,  on  an  expedition  against  the  Western  Indians,  in  which  he  proved 
so  happily  successful,  MAJOR  GENERAL  WAYNE.  Four  miles  from  the 
city,  he  was  met  by  the  three  Troops  of  Philadelphia  Light  Horse,  and  es 
corted  by  them  to  town.  On  his  crossing  the  Schuylkill,  a  salute  of  fifteen 
cannon  was  fired  from  the  Centre-square,  by  a  party  of  Artillery.  He  was 
ushered  into  the  city  by  ringing  of  bells  and  other  demonstrations  of  joy, 
and  thousands  of  citizens  crowded  to  see  and  welcome  the  return  of  their 
brave  General,  whom  they  attended  to  the  City  Tavern,  where  he  alighted. 
In  the  evening,  a  display  of  Fire-Works  was  exhibited,  in  celebration  of  the 
Peace  lately  concluded  with  the  Western  Indians,  and  the  Algerines ;  and 
also,  on  account  of  the  Peace  concluded  by  France  with  several  European 
Powers." — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  22. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  23. — Yesterday  being  the 
anniversary  of  the  birth-day  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  when  he  entered  into  the  64th  [65th]  year  of  his  age, 
it  was  ushered  in  here  by  the  firing  of  cannon,  ringing  of 
bells,  and  other  demonstrations  of  joy.  In  the  course  of 

*  Gained  by  his  victory  over  the  Indians  on  the  banks  of  the  Miami, 
August  20,  1794. 


320  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1796 

the  day,  the  members  of  both  houses  of  Congress,  the 
Senate  and  representatives  of  this  state,*  the  heads  of  de 
partments,  foreign  ministers,  the  clergy  of  every  denomina 
tion,  the  Cincinnati,  civil  and  military  officers  of  the  United 
States,  several  other  public  bodies,  and  many  respectable 
citizens  and  foreigners,  waited  upon  the  President  accord 
ing  to  annual  custom  to  congratulate  him  on  the  occasion. 
Detachments  of  artillery  and  infantry  paraded  in  honor  of 
the  day,  and  in  the  evening  there  was  perhaps  one  of  the 
most  splendid  balls  at  Rickett's  amphitheatre  ever  given  in 
America." — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 


"Philadelphia,  February,  1796. — On  General  "Washington's  birth-day, 
which  was  a  few  days  ago,  this  city  was  unusually  gay ;  every  person  of 
consequence  in  it,  Quakers  alone  excepted,  made  it  a  point  to  visit  the 
General  on  this  day.  As  early  as  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning  he  was 
prepared  to  receive  them,  and  the  audience  lasted  till  three  in  the  afternoon. 
The  society  of  the  Cincinnati,  the  clergy,  the  officers  of  the  militia,  and 
several  others,  who  formed  a  distinct  body  of  citizens,  came  by  themselves 
separately.  The  foreign  ministers  attended  in  their  richest  dresses  and  most 
splendid  equipages.  Two  large  parlours  were  open  for  the  reception  of 
gentlemen,  the  windows  of  one  of  which  towards  the  street  were  crowded 
with  spectators  on  the  outside.  The  sideboard  was  furnished  with  cake  and 
wines,  whereof  the  visitors  partook.  I  never  observed  so  much  cheerfulness 
before  in  the  countenance  of  General  Washington  ;  but  it  was  impossible  for 
him  to  remain  insensible  to  the  attention  and  compliments  paid  to  him  on 
this  occasion. 

"The  ladies  of  the  city,  equally  attentive  paid  their  respects  to  Mrs. 
Washington,  who  received  them  in  the  drawing-room  up  stairs.  After 
having  visited  the  General,  most  of  the  gentlemen  also  waited  upon  her.  A 
public  ball  and  supper  terminated  the  rejoicings  of  the  day." — ISAAC  WELD, 
JUNIOK,  Travels  through  the  States  of  North  America  during  the  Years  1795, 
1796,  and  1797.  London,  1799. 

*  "  February  22. — At  noon  Speaker  [Robert]  Hare  of  the  Senate,  and 
Speaker  [George]  Latimer  of  the  House,  with  their  members,  called  on 
President  Washington  to  congratulate  him  on  his  birthday.  He  stood  in 
the  centre  of  the  back  room,  where  he  bowed  to  each  member  as  he  passed 
into  the  front  room,  where  wine  and  cake  were  served.  At  night  the  ladies 
and  gentlemen  had  u  dance  at  Kickett's  riding  place,  southwest  corner  Sixth 
and  Chestnut  Streets." — Diary  of  Jacob  H'dtzheimer. 


1796]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  321 

MONDAY,  FEBRUAKY  29. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  February  29.— We  are  informed  THE 
PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  intends  visit 
ing  the  Theatre  this  Evening ;  and,  the  Entertainments  are 
by  his  particular  desire."  * — Gazette  of  the,  United  States. 

"March  1. — Yesterday  [February  29]  the  President  sent  his  carriage 
for  me  to  go  with  the  family  to  the  theatre.  The  Eage  and  the  Spoiled 
Child  were  the  two  pieces.  It  rained  and  the  house  was  not  full.  I  thought 
I  perceived  a  little  mortification.  Mr.  George  Washington  and  his  fair 
lady  wore  with  us.  f  .  .  .  After  all,  persuasion  may  overcome  the  inclination 
of  the  chief  to  retire.  But,  if  it  should,  it  will  shorten  his  days,  I  am  con 
vinced.  His  heart  is  set  upon  it,  and  the  turpitude  of  the  Jacobins  touches 
him  more  nearly  than  he  owns  in  words.  All  the  studied  efforts  of  the 
federalists  to  counterbalance  abuse  by  compliment  don't  answer  the  end." 
— John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams. 

FRIDAY,  MARCH  4. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  If  the  people  of  this  country  have  not 
abundant  cause  to  rejoice  at  the  happiness  they  enjoy,  I 
know  of  no  country  that  has.  We  have  settled  all  our  dis 
putes,  and  are  at  peace  with  all  nations.  We  supply  their 
wants  with  our  superfluities,  and  are  well  paid  for  doing 
so. — The  earth  generally,  for  years  past,  has  yielded  its 
fruits  bountifully.  No  City,  Town,  Village,  or  even  farm 
but  what  exhibits  evidences  of  increasing  wealth  and  pros 
perity;  while  Taxes  are  hardly  known  but  in  name.  Yet 
by  the  second  sight, — extraordinary  foresight,  or  some  other 
sight  attainable  by  a  few  only,  evils  afar  off  are  discovered 

*  "  NEW  THEATRE  [north  side  of  Chestnut,  above  Sixth  Street]— 
By  Particular  Desire.  On  MONDAY  EVENING,  February  29,  Will  be 
presented,  A  celebrated  COMEDY  (written  by  the  Author  of  the  Drama 
tist)  called  THE  RAGE  !  To  which  will  be  added,  A  FARCE  in  two  acts, 
called  THE  SPOIL'D  CHILD.  The  Public  are  respectfully  informed, 
that  the  Doors  of  the  Theatre  will  open  at  a  quarter  after  FIVE  o'clock, 
and  the  Curtain  rise  precisely  at  a  quarter  after  SIX — until  further  notice." 
— Gazette  of  the  United  States,  February  27. 

f  George  Steptoe  Washington,  a  nephew  of  the  President,  son  of  his 
brother  Samuel.  He  had  recently  married  Lucy  Payne,  daughter  of  John 
Payne,  of  Virginia,  and  a  sister  of  Mrs.  James  Madison. 

21 


322  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1796 

by  these,  alarming  to  themselves;  and  as  far  as  they  are 
able  to  render  them  so,  disquieting  to  others." —  Washington 
to  Gouverneur  Morris. 

THURSDAY,  MAKCH  24. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  March  25. — Yesterday  I  dined  at  the 
President's,  with  ministers  of  state  and  their  ladies,  foreign 
and  domestic.  After  dinner  the  gentlemen  drew  off  after 
the  ladies,  and  left  me  alone  with  the  President  in  close 
conversation.  He  detained  me  there  till  nine  o'clock,  and 
was  never  more  frank  and  open  upon  politics.  I  find  his 
opinions  and  sentiments  are  more  exactly  like  mine  than  I 
ever  knew  before,  respecting  England,  France,  and  our 
American  parties.  He  gave  me  intimations  enough  that 
his  reign  would  be  very  short.  He  repeated  it  three  times 
at  least,  that  this  and  that  was  of  no  consequence  to  him 
personally,  as  he  had  but  a  very  little  while  to  stay  in  his 
present  situation." — John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams. 

FRIDAY,  MARCH  25. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  The  resolution  moved  in  the  House 
of  Representatives,  for  the  papers  relative  to  the  negotiation 
of  the  treaty  with  Great  Britain,  having  passed  in  the 
affirmative,  I  request  your  opinion, 

"  1.  Whether  that  branch  of  Congress  has  or  has  not  a 
right,  by  the  constitution,  to  call  for  those  papers  ? 

"  2.  Whether,  if  it  does  not  possess  the  right,  it  would  be 
expedient  under  the  circumstances  of  this  particular  case  to 
furnish  them  ? 

"  3.  And,  in  either  case,  in  what  terms  would  it  be  most 
proper  to  comply  with,  or  to  refuse,  the  request  of  the 
House?" — Washington  to  Timothy  Pickering,  Secretary  of 
State.* 

The  treaty  with  Great  Britain,  commonly  called  Jay's  Treaty,  having 
been  ratified  in  London  on  the  28th  day  of  October,  1795,  and  returned  to 

*  Sent  as  a  circular  to  the  other  members  of  the  Cabinet. 


1796]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  323 

the  United  States,  a  copy  of  it  was  laid  before  Congress,  by  the  President, 
on  the  1st  of  March.  It  now  became  the  duty  of  the  House  of  Kepresenta- 
tives  to  make  appropriations  for  carrying  the  treaty  into  effect.  The  party 
in  the  House  opposed  to  the  treaty  was  not  satisfied  with  the  course  pur 
sued  by  the  President  in  promulgating  it  by  a  proclamation  (February  29) 
before  the  sense  of  the  House  of  Representatives  had  been  in  any  manner 
obtained  upon  the  subject.  A  resolution  was  brought  forward  by  Mr.  Liv 
ingston  (March  2),  which,  after  an  amendment  by  the  original  mover, 
assumed  the  following  shape: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  requested  to  lay 
before  this  House  a  copy  of  the  instructions  given  to  the  minister  of  the 
United  States,  who  negotiated  the  treaty  with  Great  Britain  communicated 
by  his  message  of  the  1st  instant,  together  with  the  correspondence  and 
documents  relating  to  the  said  treaty,  excepting  such  of  said  papers  as  any 
existing  negotiation  may  render  improper  to  be  disclosed." 

A  debate  arose  which  did  not  terminate  till  the  24th  of  March,  when  the 
resolution  passed  in  the  affirmative  by  a  vote  of  sixty-two  to  thirty-seven, 
and  it  was  accordingly  sent  to  the  President  by  a  committee  of  the  House.* 
The  President  replied  to  the  committee  "  that  he  would  take  the  request  of 
the  House  into  consideration." 

The  members  of  the  Cabinet  were  unanimous  in  advising  the  President 
not  to  comply  with  the  resolution.  Each  of  them  stated  the  grounds  of  his 
opinion  in  writing.  During  the  progress  of  the  debate,  Chief-Justice  Ells 
worth  drew  up  an  argument,  showing  that  the  papers  could  not  be  consti 
tutionally  demanded  by  the  House  of  Representatives.  A  message  was 
therefore  framed  and  sent  to  the  House  on  the  30th  of  March,  at  the  con 
clusion  of  which  the  President  said,  "  A  just  regard  to  the  constitution,  and 
to  the  duty  of  my  office,  under  all  the  circumstances  of  this  case,  forbid  a 
compliance  with  your  request." 

A  motion  to  refer  the  message  to  a  committee  of  the  whole  House  was 
carried  by  a  large  majority  ;  and  on  the  29th  of  April, f  after  a  debate  which 
had  lasted  for  two  weeks,  the  question  was  taken  in  committee,  and  deter 
mined  by  the  casting  vote  of  the  chairman  (Frederick  A.  Muhlenberg)  in 
favor  of  the  expediency  of  making  the  necessary  laws  for  carrying  out  the 
treaty.  The  resolution  was  finally  carried  (April  30),  fifty-one  voting  in  the 
affirmative  and  forty-eight  in  the  negative. 

*  Edward  Livingston,  of  New  York,  and  Albert  Gallatin,  of  Pennsyl 
vania. 

f  The  speech  of  Fisher  Ames,  made  on  the  28th  of  April,  advocating  the 
appropriation  required  for  the  execution  of  the  treaty,  was  such  a  remark 
able  effort  that  a  member  of  the  opposition  objected  to  the  taking  of  a  vote 
at  that  time,  on  the  ground  that  the  House  was  too  excited  to  come  to  a 
decision. 


324  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1796 

THURSDAY,  MARCH  31. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  do  not  know  how  to  thank  you  suf 
ficiently  for  the  trouble  you  have  taken  to  dilate  on  the 
request  of  the  House  of  Representatives  for  the  papers 
relative  to  the  British  treaty.  ...  I  had,  from  the  first 
moment,  and  from  the  fullest  conviction  in  my  own  mind, 
resolved  to  resist  the  principle,  which  was  evidently  intended 
to  be  established  by  the  call  of  the  House  of  Representa 
tives  ;  *  and  only  deliberated  on  the  manner,  in  which  this 
could  be  done  with  the  least  bad  consequences." —  Washing 
ton  to  Alexander  Hamilton. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  ll.f 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  am  under  promise  to  Mrs.  Bingham 
to  sit  for  you  to-morrow,  at  nine  o'clock,  and  wishing  to 
know  if  it  be  convenient  to  you  that  I  should  do  so,  and 
whether  it  shall  be  at  your  own  house  (as  she  talked  of  the 
State  House)  I  send  this  note  to  ask  information." —  Wash 
ington  to  Gilbert  Stuart. 

The  full-length  portrait  of  "Washington,  as  President,  painted  by  Gilbert 
Stuart  in  compliance  with  the  above-mentioned  request  of  Mrs.  William 
Bingham,  and  known  as  the  "  Lansdowne  Portrait,"  was  executed  for  the 
purpose  of  presentation  to  the  Marquis  of  Lansdowne  (Lord  Shelburne),  a 
great  admirer  of  "Washington,  and  who,  during  the  Revolution,  was  an  active 
opponent  of  the  policy  of  Lord  North.  At  this  date  Stuart  had  a  studio  in 
a  house  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Fifth  and  Chestnut  Streets  (now  included 
in  the  Drexel  Building),  and  in  this  room,  in  all  probability,  the  sittings  were 
had.  The  portrait,  which  will  always  retain  the  name  of  the  original  owner, 
is  now  in  the  possession  of  Lord  Rosebery,  late  Prime  Minister  of  England. 
It  is  well  known  through  numerous  engravings,  the  first  of  which,  executed 
by  James  Heath,  was  published  at  London,  February  1,  1800. 

In  a  letter  to  Major  William  Jackson  (who  married  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Bing- 

*  That  the  assent  of  the  House  was  necessary  to  the  validity  of  a  treaty. 

f  "  April  13. — I  dined  on  Monday  [April  11]  at  the  President's  with 
young  La  Fayette  and  his  preceptor,  tutor  or  friend,  whatever  they  call 
him,  whose  name  is  Frestel.  .  .  .  There  is  a  resemblance  of  father  and 
mother  in  the  young  man.  He  is  said  to  be  studious  and  discreet." — John 
Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams. 


1796]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  325 

ham),  dated  London,  March  5,  1797,  the  marquis  writes,  "I  have  received 
the  picture,  which  is  in  every  respect  worthy  of  the  original.  I  consider  it 
a  very  magnificent  compliment,  and  the  respect  I  have  for  both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bingham  will  always  enhance  the  value  of  it  to  me  and  my  family. 
.  .  .  General  Washington's  conduct  is  above  all  praise.  He  has  left  a  noble 
example  to  sovereigns  and  nations  present  and  to  come.  I  beg  you  will 
mention  both  me  and  my  sons  *  to  him  in  the  most  respectful  terms  possible. 
If  I  was  not  too  old,  I  would  go  to  Virginia  to  do  him  homage." 

The  "  Lansdowne  Portrait"  was  brought  to  this  country  in  1876,  and 
exhibited  at  Philadelphia  in  the  Centennial  International  Exhibition  of  that 
year.  At  that  time  it  belonged  to  John  Delaware  Lewis.  A  replica  of  this 
portrait,  executed  for  Mr.  Bingham,  is  owned  by  the  Pennsylvania  Academy 
of  the  Fine  Arts. 

SUNDAY,  MAY  8. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  "We  are  an  Independent  Nation,  and 
act  for  ourselves — Having  fulfilled,  and  being  willing  to 
fulfil,  (as  far  as  we  are  able)  our  engagements  with  other 
nations, — and  having  decided  on,  and  strictly  observed  a 
Neutral  conduct  towards  the  Belligerent  Powers,  from  an 
unwillingness  to  involve  ourselves  in  War.  .  .  .  We  will 
not  be  dictated  to  by  the  Politics  of  any  Nation  under 
Heaven,  farther  than  Treaties  require  of  us. 

"  Whether  the  present,  or  any  circumstances  should  do 
more  than  soften  this  language,  may  merit  consideration. — 
But  if  we  are  to  be  told  by  a  foreign  Power  (if  our  engage 
ments  with  it  are  not  infracted)  what  we  shall  do,  and  what 
we  shall  not  do,  we  have  Independence  yet  to  seek  &  have 
contended  hitherto  for  very  little." — Washington  to  Alex 
ander  Hamilton. 

FRIDAY,  MAY  13. 

At  Philadelphia:  "May  13. — At  one  o'clock  to-day  I 
called  at  General  Washington's  with  the  picture  and  letter 
I  had  for  him.  He  lived  in  a  small  red  brick  house  on  the 
left  side  of  High  Street,  not  much  higher  up  than  Fourth 

*  Lord  Wycombe,  the  eldest  son  of  the  Marquis  of  Lansdowne.  visited 
the  United  States  in  the  latter  part  of  1791.  He  was  entertained  by  the 
President  when  in  Philadelphia. 


326  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1796 

Street.  There  was  nothing  in  the  exterior  of  the  house 
that  denoted  the  rank  of  the  possessor.  Next  door  was  a 
hair-dresser." — Diary  of  Thomas  Twining* 

In  continuing  the  above  entry  in  his  diary,  Mr.  Twining;  says,  "  Having 
stated  my  object  to  a  servant  who  came  to  the  door,  I  was  conducted  up  a 
neat  but  rather  narrow  staircase,  carpeted  in  the  middle,  and  was  shown 
into  a  middling-sized  well-furnished  drawing-room  on  the  left  of  the  passage. 
Nearly  opposite  the  door  was  the  fire-place,  with  a  wood-fire  in  it.  The  floor 
was  carpeted.  On  the  left  of  the  fire-place  was  a  sofa,  which  sloped  across 
the  room.  There  were  no  pictures  on  the  walls,  no  ornaments  on  the 
chimney-piece.  Two  windows  on  the  right  of  the  entrance  looked  into  the 
street.  There  was  nobody  in  the  room,  but  in  a  minute  Mrs.  Washington 
came  in,  when  I  repeated  the  object  of  my  calling,  and  put  into  her  hands 
the  letter  for  General  Washington,  and  his  miniature.  She  said  she  would 
deliver  them  to  the  President,  and,  inviting  me  to  sit  down,  retired  for  that 
purpose.  She  soon  returned,  and  said  the  President  would  come  presently. 
Mrs.  Washington  was  a  middle-sized  lady,  rather  stout ;  her  manner  ex 
tremely  kind  and  unaffected.  She  sat  down  on  the  sofa,  and  invited  me  to 
sit  by  her.  1  spoke  of  the  pleasant  days  I  had  passed  at  Washington,  and 
of  the  attentions  I  had  received  from  her  grand-daughter,  Mrs.  Law. 

"While  engaged  in  this  conversation,  but  with  my  thoughts  turned  to 
the  expected  arrival  of  the  General,  the  door  opened,  and  Mrs.  Washington 
and  myself  rising,  she  said,  'The  President,'  and  introduced  me  to  him. 
Never  did  1  feel  more  interest  than  at  this  moment,  when  I  saw  the  tall, 
upright,  venerable  figure  of  this  great  man  advancing  towards  me  to  take 
me  by  the  hand.  There  was  a  seriousness  in  his  manner  which  seemed  to 
contribute  to  the  impressive  dignity  of  his  person,  without  diminishing  the 
confidence  and  ease  which  the  benevolence  of  his  countenance  and  the  kind 
ness  of  his  address  inspired.  There  are  persons  in  whose  appearance  one 
looks  in  vain  for  the  qualities  they  are  known  to  possess,  but  the  appearance 
of  General  Washington  harmonized  in  a  singular  manner  with  the  dignity 
and  modesty  of  his  public  life.  So  completely  did  he  look  the  great  and 
good  man  he  really  was,  that  I  felt  rather  respect  than  awe  in  his  presence, 
and  experienced  neither  the  surprise  nor  disappointment  with  which  a  per 
sonal  introduction  to  distinguished  individuals  is  often  accompanied. 


*  Thomas  Twining,  an  Englishman  by  birth,  who  occupied  a  prominent 
position  under  the  British  government  in  the  East  Indies,  made  a  short  visit 
to  the  United  States  in  1796.  When  at  Washington  City  he  called  upon 
Tobias  Lear,  then  residing  near  Georgetown,  who  gave  him  a  letter  of  in 
troduction,  and  also  intrusted  him  with  a  miniature  picture  of  the  President, 
to  be  delivered  to  him.  We  have  no  means  of  ascertaining  what  portrait 
this  was.  Mr.  Twining's  diary  was  published  at  New  York  in  1894. 


1796]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  327 

"The  General  having  thanked  me  for  the  picture,  requested  me  to  sit 
down  next  the  fire,  Mrs.  Washington  being  on  the  sofa  on  the  other  side, 
and  himself  taking  a  chair  in  the  middle.  ...  In  the  course  of  the  conver 
sation  I  mentioned  the  particular  regard  and  respect  with  which  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  always  spoke  of  him.  He  received  this  communication  in  the  most 
courteous  manner,  inquired  about  his  lordship,  and  expressed  for  him  much 
esteem.  .  .  .  After  sitting  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  I  rose  to  take 
leave,  when  the  General  invited  me  to  drink  tea  with  him  that  evening.  I 
regret  to  say  I  declined  this  honor  on  account  of  some  other  engagement — a 
wrong  and  injudicious  decision,  for  which  I  have  since  reproached  myself. 
.  .  .  The  General's  age  was  rather  more  than  sixty-four.  In  person  he  was 
tall,  well-proportioned,  and  upright.  His  hair  was  powdered  and  tied  be 
hind.  Although  his  deportment  was  that  of  a  general,  the  expression  of  his 
features  had  rather  the  calm  dignity  of  a  legislator  than  the  severity  of  a 
soldier." — THOMAS  TWINING. 

MONDAY,  MAY  16. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  May  18.— On  Monday  last  [May  16] 
ROBERT  LISTON,  Esq.  was  received  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  as  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Pleni 
potentiary  from  his  Britannic  Majesty  to  the  United  States 
of  America." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  17. 

At  Philadelphia:  "  M, ay  21. — EDWARD  THORNTON  Esq. 
was  presented  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  on 
Tuesday  last  [May  17]  by  the  British  Ambassador,  as  his 
Britannick  Majesty's  secretary  of  legation  to  the  United 
States." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

SUNDAY,  MAY  29. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  Congress  talk  of  rising  about  the 
middle  of  this  week ;  but  there  is  no  dependance  on  it. — In 
about  ten  or  twelve  days  after  the  session  closes,  it  is  likely 
I  shall  commence  my  journey  homewards : — as  soon  as  I 
can  fix  the  day,  I  will  advise  you  of  it.  .  .  .  During  my 
stay  at  Mount  Vernon  I  expect  much  company  there,  and 
of  the  most  respectable  sort,  it  would  be  pleasing  to  us 
therefore  to  find  everything  in  nice  order." — Washington  to 
William  Pcarce. 


328  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1796 

SATTJKDAY,  JUNE  4. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  June  4. — On  our  return  [to  the  city] 
we  met,  just  below  the  stone  bridge  in  the  meadows,  our 
President,  Washington,  and  lady  in  a  coach  and  four,  two 
postillions,  and  only  one  servant  on  horseback.  In  old 
countries  a  man  of  his  rank  and  dignity  would  not  be  seen 
without  a  retinue  of  twenty  or  more  persons." — Diary  of 
Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  5. 

At  Philadelphia:  "  On  Wednesday  last  [June  1]  Congress 
closed  their  Session  ;  but  there  is  yet  a  good  deal  for  me  to 
do,  before  I  can  leave  the  Seat  of  the  Government. — My 
present  expectation  however  is,  that  I  shall  be  able  to  do 
this  tomorrow  week :  but  as  this  is  not  certain,  and  as  I 
shall  travel  slow,  to  avoid  what  usually  happens  to  me  at 
this  season — that  is — killing  or  knocking  up  a  horse ;  and 
as  we  shall,  moreover,  stay  a  day  or  two  at  the  Federal 
City,  it  is  not  likely  we  shall  be  at  Mount  Vernon  before 
the  20th  or  21st  of  this  month.— 

"  In  a  few  days  after  we  get  there,  we  shall  be  visited,  I 
expect,  by  characters  of  distinction ;  I  could  wish  therefore 
that  the  Gardens,  Lawns,  and  every  thing  else,  in,  and 
about  the  Houses,  may  be  got  in  clean  and  nice  order." — 
Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  13. 

Leaves  Philadelphia:  "June  13. — The  President  and 
family  left  town  this  morning  for  Mount  Vernon." — Gazette 
of  the.  United  States. 

SUNDAY,  JUNE  19. 

At  George  Town  :  "  George-Town,  June  21.— The  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  arrived  in  the  City  of  Wash 
ington  on  the  18th  instant,  and  at  this  place  on  the  19th. 
He  is  accompanied  by  the  Son  of  his  illustrious  friend, 


1796]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  329 

Fayette." — Dunlap  and  Claypoole's  American  Daily  Adver 
tiser,  June  27. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  20. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  June  26. — We  arrived  at  this  place 
on  Monday  last  [June  20],  where  it  is  probable  I  shall  re 
main  till  the  middle  of  August,  when  public  business  will 
require  my  attendance  in  Philadelphia,  until  towards  the 
end  of  September.  I  shall  then  return  to  this  place  again 
for  Mrs  "Washington,  with  whom,  in  the  latter  part  of  Octo 
ber,  I  shall  make  my  last  journey,  to  close  my  public  life 
the  4th  of  March ;  after  which  no  consideration  under 
heaven,  that  I  can  foresee,  shall  again  withdraw  me  from 
the  walks  of  private  life. 

"  My  house,  I  expect,  will  be  crowded  with  company  all 
the  while  we  shall  be  at  it,  this  summer,  as  the  ministers  of 
France,  Great  Britain,  and  Portugal,  in  succession,  intend 
to  be  here — besides  other  strangers." — Washington  to  Robert 
Lewis. 

MONDAY,  JULY  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  The  Spanish  minister  M.  de  Yrujo, 
spent  two  days  with  me,  and  is  just  gone." — Washington  to 
Timothy  Pickering. 

Don  Carlos  Martinez,  Marquis  de  Casa  Yrujo,  succeeded  Don  Joseph 
Jaudennes  as  Spanish  minister  to  the  United  States,  but  was  not  formally 
presented  to  the  President  until  August  25.  He  married  (April  10,  1798) 
Sally  McKean,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  McKean,  Chief- Justice  of  Pennsyl 
vania  1777-99.  Their  son,  the  Duke  of  Sotomayer,  born  in  Philadelphia, 
became  Prime  Minister  of  Spain. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  6. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Until  within  the  last  year  or  two,  I 
had  no  conception  that  parties  would  or  even  could  go  the 
length  I  have  been  witness  to;  nor  did  I  believe  until  lately, 
that  it  was  within  the  bounds  of  probability,  hardly  within 
those  of  possibility,  that,  while  I  was  using  my  utmost 


330  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1796 

exertions  to  establish  a  national  character  of  our  own, 
independent,  as  far  as  our  obligations  and  justice  would 
permit,  of  every  nation  of  the  earth,  and  wished,  by  steer 
ing  a  steady  course,  to  preserve  this  country  from  the  hor 
rors  of  a  desolating  war,  I  should  be  accused  of  being  the 
enemy  of  one  nation,  and  subject  to  the  influence  of  an 
other  ;  and,  to  prove  it,  that  every  act  of  my  administration 
would  be  tortured,  and  the  grossest  and  most  insidious 
misrepresentations  of  them  be  made,  by  giving  one  side 
only  of  a  subject,  and  that  too  in  such  exaggerated  and 
indecent  terms  as  could  scarcely  be  applied  to  a  Nero,  a 
notorious  defaulter,  or  even  to  a  common  pickpocket." — 
Washington  to  Thomas  Jefferson. 

MONDAY,  JULY  18. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  hope  and  expect,  that  the  pro 
posed  visit  from  the  Cherokee  chiefs  will  be  so  managed,  as 
not  to  take  place  before  the  month  of  November.  I  have 
already  been  incommoded  at  this  place  by  a  visit  of  several 
days  from  a  party  of*  a  dozen  Catawbas,  and  should  wish, 
while  I  am  in  this  retreat,  to  avoid  a  repetition  of  such 
guests." — Washington  to  James  Me  Henry. 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  10. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  In  the  course  of  next  week,  prob 
ably  about  the  middle  of  it,  I  expect  to  commence  my 
journey  for  Philadelphia ;  but,  as  I  shall  be  obliged  to  halt 
a  day  at  the  Federal  City,  and  from  the  heat  of  the  season 
and  other  circumstances  must  travel  slowly,  it  is  not  likely 
I  shall  arrive  there  before  the  middle  of  the  following 
week." — Washington  to  Timothy  Pickering. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  16. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  propose  to  enter  upon  my  jour 
ney  to  Philadelphia  to  morrow." — Washington  to  James 

McHenry,  MS.  Letter. 


1796]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  331 

THUKSDAY,  AUGUST  18. 

At  Washington  City :  "  August  18. — In  passing  through 
Alexandria  yesterday,  on  my  way  to  Philadelphia,  I  saw 
Col°  Fitzgerald,  who  informed  me  of  a  letter  he  had  re 
ceived  from  you." — Washington  to  James  Anderson. 

James  Anderson,  to  whom  the  above  letter  was  addressed,  succeeded 
William  Pearce  as  superintendent  at  Mount  Vernon  in  December.  He  was 
acting  in  that  capacity  at  the  time  of  the  decease  of  Washington,  and  the 
last  letter  written  by  him,  dated  December  13,  1799,  was  to  Mr.  Anderson. 
This  letter  is  now  in  the  Ferdinand  J.  Dreer  Autograph  Collection  of  the 
Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania. 

SUNDAY,  AUGUST  21. 

At  Philadelphia:  "August  22.— The  President  of  the 
United  States  arrived  in  town  last  evening." — Gazette  of  the 
United  States. 

THUKSDAY,  AUGUST  25. 

At  Philadelphia:  "My  conduct  in  public  and  private  life 
as  it  relates  to  the  important  struggle  in  which  the  latter 
nation  [France]  is  engcged,  has  been  uniform  from  the 
commencement  of  it,  and  may  be  summed  up  in  a  few 
words ;  that  I  have  always  wished  well  to  the  French  revo 
lution;  that  I  have  always  given  it  as  my  decided  opinion, 
that  no  nation  had  a  right  to  intermeddle  in  the  internal 
concerns  of  another;  that  every  one  had  a  right  to  form 
and  adopt  whatever  government  they  liked  best  to  live 
under  themselves;  and  that,  if  this  country  could,  consist 
ently  with  its  engagements,  maintain  a  strict  neutrality 
and  thereby  preserve  peace,  it  was  bound  to  do  so  by  mo 
tives  of  policy,  interest,  and  every  other  consideration,  that 
ought  to  actuate,,  a  people  situated  as  we  are,  already  deeply 
in  debt,  and  in  a  convalescent  state  from  the  struggle  we 
have  been  engaged  in  ourselves." — Washington  to  James 
Monroe. 

'l  August  26. — The  President  of  the  United  States  yesterday  received  the 
Chevalier  Martinez  De  Yrujo,  as  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Pleni- 


332  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1796 

potentiary  from  his  Catholic  Majesty  [Charles  IV.,  King  of  Spain],  to  the 
United  States  of  America." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  30. 

At  Philadelphia:  "August  31. — The  President  yesterday 
received  R.  G.  VAN  POLANEN,  Esq.  as  Minister  Resident  of 
the  Batavian  Republic." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBEE  5. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  Write  me  by  the  first  Post  (fridays) 
after  you  get  this  letter,  how  every  thing  is,  and  going  on ; 
for  if  I  can  accomplish  the  business  which  bro*  me  here,  I 
hope  by  Wednesday,  or  thursday  in  next  week,  to  leave 
this,  on  my  return  to  Mount  Vernon." — Washington  to 
William  Pearce. 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBEE  11. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  recollect  a  year  or  two  ago  to  have 
sent  some  rape  Seed  to  Mount  Vernon,  but  do  not  recollect 
what  has  been  the  result  of  it : — but  particular  care  ought 
always  to  be  paid  to  these  kind  of  Seeds  as  they  are,  gener 
ally,  given  to  'me,  because  they  are  valuable — rare — or 
curious." —  Washington  to  William  Pearce. 

SATUEDAY,  SEPTEMBEE  17. 

At  Philadelphia:  Issues  his  Farewell  Address  to  the 
people  of  the  United  States.* 

"  The  end  of  the  same  year  [1796]  witnessed  the  resignation  of  the 
presidency  of  the  United  States  of  America  by  General  Washington,  and 
his  voluntary  retirement  into  private  life.  Modern  history  has  not  a  more 
spotless  character  to  commemorate.  Invincible  in  resolution,  firm  in  con 
duct,  incorruptible  in  integrity,  he  brought  to  the  helm  of  a  victorious 
republic  the  simplicity  and  innocence  of  rural  lifef  he  was  forced  into 
greatness  by  circumstances  rather  than  led  into  it  by  inclination,  and  pre 
vailed  over  his  enemies  rather  by  the  wisdom  of  his  designs,  and  the  per 
severance  of  his  character,  than  by  any  extraordinary  genius  for  the  art  of 

*  The  Farewell  Address  first  appeared  in  Claypoole's  American  Daily 
Advertiser  for  September  19,  1796. 


1796]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  333 

war.  A  soldier  from  necessity  and  patriotism  rather  than  disposition,  he 
was  the  first  to  recommend  a  return  to  pacific  counsels  when  the  indepen 
dence  of  his  country  was  secured ;  and  bequeathed  to  his  countrymen  an 
address  on  leaving  their  government,  to  which  there  are  few  compositions 
of  uninspired  wisdom  which  can  bear  a  comparison.  He  was  modest  with 
out  diffidence ;  sensible  to  the  voice  of  fame  without  vanity ;  independent 
and  dignified  without  either  asperity  or  pride.  He  was  a  friend  to  liberty, 
but  not  to  licentiousness — not  to  the  dreams  of  enthusiasts,  but  to  those  prac 
tical  ideas  which  America  had  inherited  from  her  British  descent,  and  which 
were  opposed  to  nothing  so  much  as  the  extravagant  love  of  power  in  the 
French  democracy.  Accordingly,  after  having  signalized  his  life  by  a  suc 
cessful  resistance  to  English  oppression,  he  closed  it  by  the  warmest  advice 
to  cultivate  the  friendship  of  Great  Britain  ;  and  exerted  his  whole  influence, 
shortly  before  his  resignation,  to  effect  the  conclusion  of  a  treaty  of  friendly 
and  commercial  intercourse  between  the  mother  country  and  its  emanci 
pated  offspring.  He  was  a  Cromwell  without  his  ambition  ;  a  Sylla  without 
his  crimes ;  and  after  having  raised  his  country,  by  his  exertions,  to  the  rank 
of  an  independent  state,  he  closed  his  career  by  a  voluntary  relinquishment 
of  the  power  which  a  grateful  people  had  bestowed." — ARCHIBALD  ALISON. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  19. 

Leaves  Philadelphia :  "  September  21. — Monday  last  [Sep 
tember  19]  the  President  of  the  United  States  left  this  city, 
on  his  journey  to  Mount  Vernon." — Pennsylvania  Gazette. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  20. 

At  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania :  "  September  23. — The  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  arrived  here  [Lancaster]  on  Tues 
day  afternoon  last  [September  20],  and  on  "Wednesday 
morning  at  6  o'clock  proceeded  on  his  way  to  Mount 
Vernon." — Lancaster  Journal. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  17. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  A  few  months  will  put  an  end  to 
my  political  existence,  and  place  me  in  the  shades  of  Mount 
Vernon  under  rny  Vine  and  Fig  Tree;  where  at  all  times  I 
should  be  glad  to  see  you." —  Washington  to  Landon  Carter. 

WEDNESDAY,  OCTOBER  26. 

At  "Washington  City :  "  Mrs.  "Washington  desires  me  to 
inform  you  that  there  was  some  Butter  left  in  the  Cellar, 


334  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1796 

and  some  Beef  in  a  Tub  which  (after  supplying  James)  may 
be  applied  to  any  uses  you  think  proper." —  Washington  to 
William  Pearce. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  31. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  November  2. — On  Monday  last  [Oc 
tober  31]  the  President  of  the  United  States  arrived  in 
town  from  Mount  Vernon." — Clay  poolers  American  Daily 

Advertiser. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  3. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  November  3. — Gave  Geo.  W.  Fayette 
for  the  purpose  of  getting  himself  such  small  articles  of 
clothing  as  he  might  want,  and  not  chuse  to  ask  for,  100 
Dollars." —  Washington's  Cash- Book. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  3. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  4. — Yesterday  I  dined  with 
the  President,  in  company  with  John  Watts,  the  King  of 
the  Cherokees,  with  a  large  number  of  his  chiefs  and  their 
wives ;  among  the  rest  the  widow  and  children  of  Hanging 
Maw,  a  famous  friend  of  our's  who  was  basely  murdered  by 
some  white  people.  The  President  dined  four  sets  of  Indians 
on  four  several  days  the  last  week." — John  Adams  to  Mrs. 
Adams. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  7. 

At  Philadelphia:  "December  7. — This  day  precisely  at  12 
o'clock  the  President  of  the  United  States  met  both  Houses 
of  Congress  in  the  Hall  of  the  Representatives,  where  he 
addressed  them  in  a  speech.  The  President  was  accom 
panied  by  his  Secretary  [George  Washington  Craik],  the 
Secretaries  of  State,  the  Treasury  and  War  Departments, 
and  the  Attorney-General,  &c.  The  hall  was  filled  at  an 
early  hour  with  the  largest  assemblage  of  citizens,  ladies 
and  gentlemen  ever  collected  on  a  similar  occasion.  The 


1796]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  335 

English,  Spanish,  and  Portuguese  Ministers  had  Seats  as 
signed  them,  and  were  present." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER,  10. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  A  few  months  more,  say  the  3d  of 
March  next  (1797),  and  the  scenes  of  my  political  life  will 
close,  and  leave  me  in  the  shades  of  retirement ;  when  if  a 
few  years  are  allowed  me  to  enjoy  it  (many  I  cannot  expect, 
being  upon  the  verge  of  sixty-five),  and  health  is  continued 
to  me,  I  shall  peruse  with  pleasure  and  edification,  the  fruits 
of  the  exertions  of  the  Board  [of  Agriculture,  England]  for 
the  improvement  of  Agriculture ;  and  shall  have  leisure,  I 
trust,  to  realise  some  of  the  useful  discoveries  which  have 
been  made  in  the  science  of  husbandry." — Washington  to 
Sir  John  Sinclair. 

MONDAY,  DECEMBEE  12. 

At  Philadelphia:  "December  12. — At  12  o'clock  this  day, 
the  Senate  in  a  body,  waited  on  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  at  his  house,  when  the  Vice  President  presented  an 
answer  to  his  speech  to  both  Houses  at  the  opening  of  the 

Session." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  16. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  16. — At  2  o'clock  this  day, 
the  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  a  body, 
wraited  upon  the  President  at  his  house,  and  the  Speaker 
[Jonathan  Dayton]  presented  an  answer  to  his  address  to 
both  Houses." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  17. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  17. — At  noon  the  [Pennsyl 
vania]  Assembly  went  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  on 
Market  Street  [between  Second  and  Third  Streets],  where 
Dr.  [Benjamin]  Rush,  a  member  of  the  Philosophical 
Society,  pronounced  an  eulogium  in  memory  of  their  late 
president,  David  Rittenhouse.  The  church  was  crowded, 


336  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1796 

President  "Washington  and  lady,  with  members  of  Congress 
being  present." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

"On  Saturday  [December  17],  at  twelve  o'clock  agreeably  to  appoint 
ment,  Dr.  Kush  delivered  his  Eulogium  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  High 
street,  on  the  late  Mr.  KITTENHOUSK.  The  Doctor  commenced  his  Oration 
with  an  account  of  the  birth  of  the  great  philosopher  whose  eulogy  he  was 
about  to  make,  and  proceeded  to  give  an  account  of  all  the  material  trans 
actions  of  his  life,  till  he  came  to  the  awful  period  of  his  death,  in  all  which 
he  found  occasion  to  pay  the  highest  tribute  of  praise  to  the  deceased.  In 
deed,  we  believe,  we  shall  be  joined  in  sentiment  by  all  who  heard  it,  in 
pronouncing  the  Oration  a  most  masterly  composition,  and  that  it  was  pro 
nounced  with  all  the  ability  of  an  Orator  and  with  all  the  feeling  of  a 
Friend.  The  Church  was  exceedingly  full,  but  very  attentive.  The  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  the  Members  of  Congress,  and  of  the  Legislature 
of  this  State,  the  foreign  Ministers,  the  Philosophical  Society,  Medical 
Students,  &c.  were  a  part  of  the  auditory  on  this  solemn  and  affecting 
occasion." — Gazette  of  the  United  States,  December  20. 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBEK  18. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  I  had  a  letter  from  Mr.  Anderson  by 
the  last  Post,  who  informs  me  that  it  was  not  in  his  power 
to  leave  the  concern  he  was  engaged  in  at  the  time  I  wished 
him  to  be  at  Mount  Vernon ; — but  that  he  certainly  would 
be  there  by  the  27th  or  28th  of  this  month,  if  he  was  alive 
and  well. — I  wish  it  may  be  convenient  for  you  to  stay 
a  few  days  after  he  comes  to  give  him  a  thorough  insight 
into  the  business,  and  then  transfer  the  directions  I  have 
given  concerning  it  to  him." —  Washington  to  William 
Pearce. 

FEIDAY,  DECEMBEK  23. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  Yesterday  I  received  your  letter  of 
the  16th  instant,  covering  the  resolutions  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Delegates  of  the  State  of  Maryland,  passed  on 
the  13th  and  14th.  The  very  obliging  and  friendly  terms, 
in  which  you  have  made  this  communication,  merit  my 
sincere  thanks." — Washington  to  John  H.  Stone,  Governor 
of  Maryland. 


1796]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  337 

Resolutions  had  been  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Legislature  of  Mary 
land,  approving  in  the  highest  terms  the  public  services  of  the  President, 
and  particularly  the  sentiments  advanced  by  him  in  the  Farewell  Address. 
It  was  "resolved,  that,  to  perpetuate  this  valuable  present  in  the  most 
striking  view  to  posterity,  it  be  printed  and  published  with  the  laws  of  this 
session,  as  an  evidence  of  our  approbation  of  its  political  axioms,  and  a 
small  testimony  of  the  aifection  we  bear  to  the  precepts  of  him,  to  whom, 
under  Divine  Providence,  we  are  principally  indebted  for  our  greatest 
political  blessings." 

From  the  time  the  President  published  his  Farewell  Address  till  the  term 
of  the  presidency  expired  he  received  public  addresses  from  all  the  State 
Legislatures  which  were  convened  within  that  period,  and  also  from  many 
other  public  bodies,  expressing  a  cordial  approbation  of  his  conduct  during 
the  eight  years  that  he  had  filled  the  office  of  Chief  Magistrate,  and  deep 
regret  that  the  nation  was  to  be  deprived  of  his  services. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  28. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  29. — Yesterday  at  12  o'clock, 
a  deputation  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  Ancient  and 
Honorable  Fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  in 
Pennsylvania  waited  on  the  President  of  the  United  States 
with  an  address  delivered  to  him  by  the  Grand  Master 
[William  Moore  Smith]." — Gazette  of  the  United  States. 


22 


1797- 

TUESDAY,  JANUAKY  3. 

At  Philadelphia  :  Visits  the  Globe  Mills,  situate  at  what 
is  now  the  intersection  of  Germantown  Avenue  and  Girard 
Avenue.* 

"  1797. — One  of  the  earliest  manufactories  in  the  United  States,  of  any 
extent,  for  spinning  and  weaving  flax,  hemp,  and  tow,  by  water  power,  was 
that  of  James  Davenport,  put  in  operation  with  patent  machinery  within 
the  last  twelve  months,  at  the  Globe  Mills,  at  the  north  end  of  Second 
Street,  Philadelphia.  It  was  visited  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  by  Wash 
ington  and  several  members  of  Congress,  who  were  highly  pleased  with  the 
ingenuity  and  novelty  of  the  machinery.  The  President  in  particular  ex 
pressed  a  high  opinion  of  the  merits  of  the  patentee,  Mr.  Davenport ;  f  and 
an  earnest  wish  that  a  work  so  honorable  to  the  infant  manufactories  of  the 
Union  might  be  extended  to  different  parts  of  the  country.  The  labor  was 
chiefly  performed  by  boys." — Bishop's  History  of  American  Manufactures 
from  1608  to  1860,  vol.  i.  p.  71. 

SUNDAY,  JANUAEY  8. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  The  first  thing  I  shall  do,  after  I  am 
settled  at  Mount  Vernon,  will  be  to  adjust  all  my  accounts 
of  a  private  nature ;  the  doing  of  which,  as  they  ought,  has 
been  prevented  by  public  avocations." —  Washington  to  David 
Stuart. 

THUKSDAY,  JANUAKY  12. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  January  13. — Yesterday  the  Senate 
of  this  Commonwealth  waited  on  the  President  of  the 

*  An  interesting  paper  by  Samuel  H.  Needles,  entitled  "  The  Governor's 
Mill  and  the  Globe  Mills,  Philadelphia,"  will  be  found  in  vol.  viii.  pp. 
279-377  of  the  Pennsylvania  Magazine. 

f  James  Davenport  received  (February  14,  1794)  the  first  patent  for  any 
kind  of  textile  machine  issued  in  the  United  States. 
338 


1797]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  339 

United  States  and  presented  him  with  an  Address." — Clay- 
poole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

THUKSDAY,  FEBKUABY  9. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  9. — I  saw  the  President  and 
Mrs.  Washington  on  Tuesday  [February  7],  and  am  to  dine 
there  to-day.  They  are  both  extremely  well." — James  Ire- 
dell  to  Mrs.  Iredell. 

"  In  private,  as  well  as  in  public,  his  [Washington's]  punctuality  was 
observable.  He  had  a  well  regulated  clock  in  his  entry,  by  which  the  move 
ments  of  his  whole  family,  as  well  as  his  own  were  regulated.  At  his  dinner 
parties  he  allowed  five  minutes  for  the  variation  of  time  pieces,  and  after 
they  were  expired  he  would  wait  for  no  one.  Some  lagging  members  of 
Congress  came  in  when  not  only  dinner  was  begun,  but,  considerably  ad 
vanced.  His  only  apology  was,  '  Sir  or  Gentlemen,  we  are  too  punctual  for 
you ;'  or  in  pleasantry,  '  Gentlemen,  I  have  a  cook,  who  nevur  asks  whether 
the  company  has  come,  but  whether  the  hour  has  eome. '  Washington  sat 
as  a  guest  at  his  dinner  table,  about  half  way  from  its  head  to  its  foot.  The 
place  of  the  chaplain  was  directly  opposite  to  the  President.  The  company 
stood  while  the  blessing  was  asked,  and  on  a  certain  occasion,  the  President's 
mind  was  probably  occupied  with  some  interesting  concern,  and  on  going  to 
the  table  he  began  to  ask  a  blessing  himself.  He  uttered  but  a  word  or  two, 
when  bowing  to  me,  he  requested  me  to  proceed,  which  I  accordingly  did. 
I  mention  this  because  it  shows  that  President  Washington  always  asked  a 
blessing  himself,  when  a  chaplain  was  not  present." — Reminiscences  of  Ashbel 
Green. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  17. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  20.— On  Friday  last  [Feb 
ruary  17]  the  House  of  Representatives  of  this  Common 
wealth  waited  on  the  President  of  the  United  States  with 
an  Address." — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

SATURDAY,  FEBRUARY  18. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  18. — At  four  o'clock  I  went 
with  the  following  members  of  the  [Pennsylvania]  House 
[of  Representatives]  and  dined  with  that  great  and  good 
man,  George  Washington,  President  of  the  United  States, 
who  will  retire  from  office  on  March  4th  next,  at  which 


340  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1797 

time  John  Adams,  the  present  Vice-President,  will  take  his 
place :  Speaker  [George]  Latimer,  [Joseph]  Ball,  [Francis] 
Gurney,  [Robert]  Wain,  and  [Lawrence]  Seckel,  of  Phil 
adelphia;  [Richard]  Keys,  [Thomas]  Boude,  [Abraham] 
Carpenter,  and  [Jeremiah]  Brown,  of  Lancaster;  [John] 
Hulme,  [Theophilus]  Foulke,  [Ralph]  Stover,  and  [Isaac] 
Van  Horn,  of  Bucks ;  [Robert]  Frazer,  [Thomas]  Bull,  and 
[James]  Hannum,  of  Chester ;  [William]  McPherson,  [Alex 
ander]  Turner,  [William]  Miller,  and  [John]  Stewart,  of 
York;  and  [Samuel]  Marshall,  of  Huntingdon.  Our 
Speaker  sat  between  the  President  and  his  lady,  and  I  on 
the  left  of  the  President." — Diary  of  Jacob  Hiltzheimer. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  '22.* 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  23. — Yesterday  being  the 
anniversary  of  the  birthday  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  in  which  he  entered  the  65th  [66th]  year  of  his  age, 
it  was  observed  here  as  a  day  of  Festival  and  Rejoicing. 
It  was  ushered  in  by  ringing  of  bells  and  firing  of  cannon. 
Most  of  the  members  of  Congress  and  the  Governor  and 
the  Legislature  of  this  State  in  a  body  congratulated  him 
on  the  occasion.  The  Officers  of  the  Militia  met  at  Eleven 
o'clock  at  the  State-House,  and  marched  from  thence  to 
the  house  of  the  President  to  whom  they  presented  an 
address,  and  received  his  answer  thereto.  They  then  re 
turned  to  the  State-House,  and  accompanied  the  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati  in  their  visit  to  the  President,  who  also  pre 
sented  to  him  an  address  and  received  his  answer.  At 
twelve  o'clock  a  federal  salute  was  fired.  The  procession 
was  attended  by  the  uniform  military  corps,  who  performed 
a  variety  of  evolutions  on  the  occasion. 

"  This  day  has   always   been  observed  in  this   city  by 


*  "February  24. — On  Wednesday  evening  [February  22]  arrived  in  town, 
on  a  visit  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  the  famous  Mohawk  Chief 
Colonel  JOSEPH  BRANT,  and  the  Seneka  Chief  Cornplanter. " — Ciaypoole's 
American  Daily  Advertiser. 


1797]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  341 

marks  of  joy  and  festivity ;  but  this  being  the  last  birth 
day  which  will  return  to  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  as  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  Union,  it  was  not  only  honoured  by  out 
ward  marks  of  joy,  but  by  sensations  of  a  peculiar  kind, 
which  are  better  felt  than  expressed — they  were  those  of 
Gratitude  and  Esteem  for  Eminent  Services. 

"  In  the  Evening  there  was  a  Ball  on  the  occasion  at 
Rickett's  Amphitheatre,  which  for  Splendor,  Taste  and 
Elegance,  was,  perhaps,  never  excelled  by  any  similar  En 
tertainment  in  the  United  States." — Claypoolc's  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 

"February  24. — The  President's  birthday  (the  22d)  was  celebrated  here 
with  every  possible  mark  of  attachment,  affection  and  respect,  rendered 
affecting  beyond  all  expression,  by  its  being  in  some  degree  a  parting  scene. 
Mrs.  Washington  was  moved  even  to  tears,  with  the  mingled  emotions  of 
gratitude  for  such  strong  proofs  of  public  regard,  and  the  new  prospect  of 
the  uninterrupted  enjoyment  of  domestic  life :  she  expressed  herself  some 
thing  to  this  effect.  I  never  saw  the  President  look  better,  or  in  finer 
spirits,  but  his  emotions  were  too  powerful  to  be  concealed.  He  could  some 
times  scarcely  speak.  Three  rooms  of  his  house  were  almost  entirely  full 
from  12  to  3,  and  such  a  crowd  at  the  door  it  was  difficult  to  get  in.  At  the 
Amphitheatre  at  night  it  is  supposed  there  was  at  least  1200  persons.  The 
show  was  a  very  brilliant  one,  but  such  scrambling  to  go  to  supper  that 
there  was  some  danger  of  being  squeezed  to  death.  The  Vice  President 
handed  in  Mrs.  Washington,  and  the  President  immediately  followed.  The 
applause  with  which  they  were  received  is  indescribable.  The  same  was 
shown  on  their  return  from  supper.  The  music  added  greatly  to  the  interest 
of  the  scene.  The  President  staid  till  between  12  and  1." — James  Iredell  to 
Mrs.  Iredell. 

"  It  was  the  usage,  while  Washington  was  President  of  the  United  States, 
for  the  clergy  of  the  city  to  go  in  a  body  to  congratulate  him  on  his  birth 
day  ;  and  on  these  occasions  he  always  appeared  unusually  cheerful.  The 
last  time  we  made  such  a  call,  which  was  about  ten  days  before  his  retire 
ment  from  office,  he  said  with  singular  vivacity,  '  Gentlemen  I  feel  the 
weight  of  years;  I  take  a  pair  of  sixes  on  my  shoulders  this  day.'  This 
great  man  was  not  in  his  proper  element  when  he  attempted  a  pleasant  con 
ceit.  I  never  witnessed  his  making  the  attempt  but  on  this  occasion ;  and 
if  his  allusion,  as  I  suppose  must  have  been  the  case,  was  to  the  fifty-sixes 
used  in  weighing  heavy  articles,  it  was  surely  far-fetched  and  not  very  obvi 
ous.  He  entered  his  sixty-sixth  year  at  this  time." — Reminiscences  of  Ashbel 
Green. 


342  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1797 

FRIDAY,  FEBKUAKY  24. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  March  1. — An  Address  of  the  Legis 
lature  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  was  on  Friday  last 
[February  24]  presented  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States  by  the  Senators  representing  that  State  in  Congress, 
accompanied  by  most  of  the  Members  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  from  that  State.'"' — Claypoole's  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  27. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  28. — Yesterday  at  twelve 
o'clock  the  Common  Council  of  this  city  waited  on  the 
President  of  the  United  States  with  an  address.  And  at 
half  past  twelve  the  Select  Council  waited  on  the  Presi 
dent,  and  presented  their  address." — Claypoole's  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 

"  February  27. — We  are  informed  that  the  President  of  the  United  States 
will  be  at  the  representation  of  the  new  comedy,  The  Way  to  get  Married, 
this  evening,  at  the  New  Theatre."  * — Idem. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  28. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  February  28. — The  President  and  his 
family  honor  the  Ladies  Concert  with  their  presence  this 
evening." — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

THURSDAY,  MARCH  2. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  March  3. — Yesterday  the  Rector, 
Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  United  Episcopal 
Churches  of  Christ  Church  and  St.  Peter's  waited  on  the 
President  of  the  United  States  with  an  Address." — Clay 
poole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

On  the  following  day,  March  3,  a  number  of  the  clergy  of  the  city  and 
vicinity  of  Philadelphia  also  presented  the  President  with  an  address.  The 

*  "  NEW  THEATRE.  THIS  EVENING,  February  27.  By  particular 
desire,  will  be  presented,  the  last  new  Comedy.  The  way  to  get  Married  ; 
after  the  comedy  the  comic  ballet  Dermot  $•  Kathleen,  or  Animal  Magnet 
ism." — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 


1797]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  343 

Reverend  Ashbel  Green,  referring  to  this  in  his  Reminiscences,  says,  "  On 
the  4th  [?]  of  March,  when  he  carried  into  effect  his  purpose  of  retirement, 
which  he  had  previously  announced,  the  city  clergy  waited  on  him  with  an 
address ;  which,  with  his  answer,  was  published  in  the  newspapers  of  the 
day.  Mr.  Jefferson  in  a  letter  published  after  his  death,  speaks  of  the  design 
of  this  address,  and  of  the  character  of  its  answer,  as  indicating  that  Wash 
ington  was  suspected  of  infidelity,  and  broadly  intimates  that  such  a  sus 
picion  was  just.  As  to  the  design  of  the  address,  I  may  be  allowed  to  say, 
that  Mr.  Jefferson's  remarks  are  incorrect,  since  by  the  appointment  of  my 
clerical  brethren,  it  was  penned  by  myself,  and  I  have  not  a  doubt  that  the 
whole  imputation  was  groundless." 

FRIDAY,  MARCH  3.* 

At  Philadelphia :  "  March  2. — To-morrow  at  dinner  I 
shall,  as  a  servant  of  the  public,  take  my  leave  of  the  Presi 
dent  elect,  of  the  foreign  characters,  the  heads  of  depart 
ments,  &c.,  and  the  day  following,  with  pleasure,  I  shall 
witness  the  inauguration  of  my  successor  to  the  chair  of 
government." —  Washington  to  General  Knox. 


Of  this  dinner,  Bishop  White,  one  of  the  guests,  writes,  "  On  the  day 
before  his  leaving  the  Presidential  chair  a  large  company  dined  with  him. 
Among  them  were  the  foreign  ministers  and  their  ladies,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Adams, f  Mr.  Jefferson,  with  other  conspicuous  persons  of  both  sexes. 
During  the  dinner  much  hilarity  prevailed  ;  but  on  the  removal  of  the  cloth 
it  was  put  an  end  to  by  the  President,  certainly  without  design.  Having 
filled  his  glass,  he  addressed  the  company,  with  a  smile  on  his  countenance, 
as  nearly  as  can  be  recollected  in  the  following  terms  :  '  Ladies  and  gentle 
men,  this  is  the  last  time  I  shall  drink  your  health  as  a  public  man.  I  do  it 
with  sincerity,  and  wishing  you  all  possible  happiness  ! '  There  was  an  end 
of  all  pleasantry.  He  who  gives  this  relation  accidentally  directed  his  eye 
to  the  lady  of  the  British  minister  (Mrs.  Listen)  and  tears  were  running 
down  her  cheeks." 


*  "  March  3. — This  evening  is  Mrs.  Washington's  last  drawing-room,  and 
a  very  crowded  one  it  will  be,  though  extremely  exciting  to  a  person  of  any 
sensibility." — James  Iredell  to  Mrs,  Iredell. 

f  This  is  incorrect.  Mrs.  Adams  at  this  time  was  at  home  at  Quincy, 
Massachusetts. 

I  "  Memoir  of  the  Life  of  Bishop  White,"  by  Bird  Wilson,  D.D.  Phila 
delphia,  1839,  p.  191. 


344  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1797 

SATUKDAY,  MAKCH  4. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  March  6. — On  Saturday  [March  4],  at 
twelve  o'clock,  agreeably  to  the  notification  which  he  gave 
to  both  Houses  of  Congress  soon  after  his  election,  JOHN 
ADAMS,  as  President  of  the  United  States,  attended  in  the 
Chamber  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  to  take  his  Oath 
of  Office,  according  to  the  directions  of  the  Constitution. 
On  his  entrance,  as  well  as  on  the  entrance  of  the  late  Presi 
dent,  and  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  the  Vice  President,  loud 
and  reiterated  applause  involuntarily  burst  from  the  audi 
ence.  The  President  having  taken  his  seat  on  the  elevated 
Chair  of  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,*  the 
Vice  President,  the  late  President,  and  the  Secretary  of 
the  Senate  f  on  his  right,  the  Speaker  and  Clerk  %  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  on  his  left,  and  the  Chief  Justice 
of  the  United  States  §  and  the  Associate  Judges  |j  at  a  table 
in  the  centre,  all  the  foreign  Ministers  and  Ambassadors, 
the  Heads  of  Departments,  General  [James]  Wilkinson,  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  and  a  very  crowded  auditory  of  the 
principal  inhabitants  of  this  city  being  present,  the  Presi 
dent  proceeded  to  deliver  his  Speech.  .  .  . 

"  After  concluding  his  speech,  the  President  descended 
from  his  seat  to  receive  his  oath  of  office  from  the  Chief 
Justice,  who  pronounced  the  following  constitutional  oath 
with  great  solemnity,  which  was  repeated  by  the  President 
in  an  equally  audible  and  solemn  manner.  '  I  do  solemnly 
swear,  that  I  will  faithfully  execute  the  office  of  President 
of  the  United  States,  and  will,  to  the  best  of  my  ability, 
preserve,  protect  and  defend  the  constitution  of  the  United 
States.' 

*  Jonathan  Dayton,  of  New  Jersey. 

f  Samuel  Allyne  Otis,  of  Massachusetts. 

J  John  Beckley,  of  Virginia. 

g  Oliver  Ellsworth,  of  Connecticut. 

||  William  Cushing,  of  Massachusetts ;  James  Wilson,  of  Pennsylvania ; 
and  James  Iredell,  of  North  Carolina.  The  Judges  not  present  were  Wil 
liam  Paterson,  of  New  Jersey,  and  Samuel  Chase,  of  Maryland. 


1797]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  345 

"  Having  taken  his  oath,  the  President  again  resumed 
his  seat,  and,  after  sitting  a  moment,  rose,  bowed  to  the 
audience,  and  retired.  After  him,  followed  the  Vice  Presi 
dent  (though  not  without  a  contest  betwixt  the  late  Presi 
dent  and  him  with  respect  to  Precedence,  the  former  insist 
ing  upon  the  Vice  President  taking  it,  and  he  with  great 
reluctance  receiving  it).  Afterwards  followed  the  members 
of  the  Senate,  Foreign  Ministers,  Heads  of  Departments, 
Representatives,  &c."  * — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Adver 
tiser. 

"On  Saturday  [March  4]  the  Merchants  of  Philadelphia  gave  a  Public 
Dinner,  at  Kickett's  Circus,f  to  GEOKGE  WASHINGTON,  in  testimony 
of  their  approbation  of  his  conduct  as  President  of  the  United  States. — The 
Company,  among  whom  were  all  the  Foreign  Ministers,  many  of  the  Mem 
bers  of  both  houses  of  Congress,  the  Governor  of  the  state,  and  all  the 
principal  merchants  of  the  city,  met  at  Oeller's  hotel, J  and  marched  in  pro 
cession  from  thence  to  the  place  of  entertainment.  On  their  entering  the 
Circus,  Washington's  march  resounded  through  the  place,  and  a  curtain  drew 
up  which  presented  to  view  a  transparent  full  length  painting  of  the  late 
President,  whom  Fame  is  crowning  with  a  Wreath  of  Laurel,  taking  leave 
after  delivering  to  her  his  valedictory  address,  of  the  Genius  of  America, 
who  is  represented  by  a  Female  Figure  holding  the  Cap  of  Liberty  in  her 

*  "  March  5. — Your  dearest  friend  never  had  a  more  trying  day  than 
yesterday.  A  solemn  scene  it  was  indeed,  and  it  was  made  affecting  to  me 
by  the  presence  of  the  General,  whose  countenance  was  as  serene  and  un 
clouded  as  the  day.  He  seemed  to  me  to  enjoy  a  triumph  over  me.  Me- 
thought  I  heard  him  say,  '  Ay !  I  am  fairly  out  and  you  fairly  in  1  See 
which  of  us  will  be  happiest !'  When  the  ceremony  was  over,  he  came  and 
made  me  a  visit,  and  cordially  congratulated  me,  and  wished  my  adminis 
tration  might  be  happy,  successful,  and  honourable.  ...  In  the  chamber  of 
the  House  of  Kepresentatives  was  a  multitude  as  great  as  the  space  could 
contain,  and  I  believe  scarcely  a  dry  eye  but  Washington's." — John  Adams 
to  Mrs.  Adams. 

|  Rickett's  Circus  was  first  opened  (April  12,  1793)  at  the  southwest 
corner  of  Twelfth  and  Market  Streets.  In  the  fall  of  1795  it  was  removed 
to  a  large  circular  building  erected  for  the  purpose  at  the  southwest  corner 
of  Sixth  and  Chestnut  Streets.  This  was  known  as  Rickett's  Amphi 
theatre. 

|  South  side  of  Chestnut,  west  of  Sixth  Street,  adjoining  Rickett's  Am 
phitheatre. 


346  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1797 

hand,  with  an  Altar  before  her,  inscribed  PUBLIC  GRATITUDE.  In  the 
painting  are  introduced  several  emblematic  devices  of  the  honours  he  had 
acquired  by  his  public  services,  and  a  distant  view  of  Mount  Vernon,  the 
seat  of  retirement.*  Not  less  than  two  hundred  and  forty  persons  were 
present,  and  a  most  sumptuous  entertainment  was  provided  by  Mr.  Rich 
ard  et,f  which  consisted  of  four  hundred  dishes  o?  the  most  choice  viands 
which  money  could  purchase  or  art  prepare,  dressed  and  served  up  in  a 
manner  which  did  him  the  highest  credit.  Mr.  Willing  and  Mr.  Fitzim- 
mons  presided,  and  the  whole  was  conducted  with  the  greatest  order." — 
Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

THURSDAY,  MARCH  9. 

Leaves  Philadelphia :  "  March  10. — Yesterday  morning 
at  7  o'clock  General  Washington  and  family  left  this  City 
for  Mount  Vernon." — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser. 

"  March  9. — The  President  and  Mrs.  Washington  go  off  this  morning  for 
Mount  Vernon.  Yesterday  afternoon  he  came  to  make  me  his  farewell  visit, 
and  requested  me,  in  his  own  name  and  Mrs.  Ws,  to  present  '  their  respects' 
to  Mrs.  Adams." — John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  12. 

At  Baltimore  :  "  March  13. — Last  evening  arrived  in  this 
city,  on  his  way  to  Mount  Vernon,  the  illustrious  object  of 
veneration  and  gratitude,  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  His  Ex 
cellency  was  accompanied  by  his  lady  and  Miss  Custis,  and 
by  the  son  of  the  Unfortunate  Lafayette  and  his  preceptor. 
At  a  distance  from  the  city,  he  was  met  by  a  crowd  of  citi 
zens,  on  horse  and  foot,  who  thronged  the  road  to  greet 
him,  and  by  a  detachment  from  Captain  Hollingsworth's 
troop,  who  escorted  him  in  through  as  great  a  concourse 
of  people  as  Baltimore  ever  witnessed.  On  alighting  at  the 
Fountain  Inn,  the  General  was  saluted  with  reiterated  and 
thundering  huzzas  from  the  spectators.  His  Excellency, 

*  This  painting  was  the  work  of  Charles  Willson  Peale.  An  engraving 
of  it,  executed  by  Alexander  Lawson,  was  published  in  the  Philadelphia 
Monthly  Magazine  for  January.  1799. 

f  Samuel  Richardet,  "  master  of  the  City  Tavern  and  Merchant's  Coffee 
House,  86  south  second  st. " — Philadelphia  Director!/,  1797. 


1797]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  347 

with  the  companions  of  his  journey,  leaves  town  we  under 
stand  this  morning." — Baltimore  paper. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAKCH  15. 

At  Mount  Yernori :  "  March  19. — We  arrived  here  on 
"Wednesday  [March  15],  without  any  accident,  after  a  te 
dious  and  fatiguing  journey  of  seven  days.  .  .  .  Grandpapa 
is  very  well  &  much  pleased  with  being  once  more  Farmer 
Washington." — Nelly  Custis  to  Mrs.  Wolcott. 

SATUKDAY,  APKIL  1. 

At  Alexandria  :  Dines  by  invitation  (at  Abert's  Tavern) 
with  the  Ancient  York  Masons  of  Alexandria  Lodge,  No. 
22.  Returns  to  Mount  Vernon  under  an  escort  of  mounted 
troops  of  the  town. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  3. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  find  myself  in  the  situation  nearly 
of  a  new  beginner;  for,  although  I  have  not  houses  to  build 
(except  one,  which  I  must  erect  for  the  accommodation  and 
security  of  my  military,  civil,  and  private  papers,  which  are 
voluminous  and  may  be  interesting),  yet  I  have  scarcely 
any  thing  else  about  me,  that  does  not  require  considerable 
repairs.  In  a  word,  I  am  already  surrounded  by  joiners, 
masons,  and  painters ;  and  such  is  my  anxiety  to  get  out  of 
their  hands,  that  I  have  scarcely  a  room  to  put  a  friend 
into,  or  to  sit  in  myself,  without  the  music  of  hammers, 
or  the  odoriferous  scent  of  paint." — Washington  to  James 
McHenry. 

MONDAY,  MAY  15. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  To  make  and  sell  a  little  flour  an 
nually,  to  repair  houses  (going  fast  to  ruin),  to  build  one 
for  the  security  of  my  papers  of  a  public  nature,  and  to 
amuse  myself  in  agricultural  and  rural  pursuits,  will  con 
stitute  employment  for  the  few  years  I  have  to  remain  on 
this  terrestrial  globe.  If,  also,  I  could  now  arid  then  meet 


348  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1797 

the  friends  I  esteem,  it  would  fill  the  measure  and  add  zest 
to  my  enjoyments;  but,  if  ever  this  happens,  it  must  be 
under  my  own  vine  and  fig-tree,  as  I  do  not  think  it  prob 
able  that  I  shall  go  beyond  twenty  miles  from  them." — 
Washington  to  Oliver  Wolcott. 

MONDAY,  MAY  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  begin  my  diurnal  course  with  the 
sun ;  if  my  hirelings  are  not  in  their  places  at  that  time  I 
send  them  messages  of  sorrow  for  their  indisposition; 
having  put  these  wheels  in  motion,  I  examine  the  state  of 
things  further;  the  more  they  are  probed,  the  deeper  I  find 
the  wounds,  which  my  buildings  have  sustained  by  an  ab 
sence  and  neglect  of  eight  years ;  by  the  time  I  have  accom 
plished  these  matters,  breakfast  (a  little  after  seven  o'clock) 
is  ready;  this  being  over,  I  mount  my  horse  and  ride  round 
my  farms,  which  employs  me  until  it  is  time  to  dress  for 
dinner,  at  which  I  rarely  miss  seeing  strange  faces,  come  as 
they  say  out  of  respect  for  me.  Pray,  would  not  the  word 
curiosity  answer  as  well?  And  how  different  this  from 
having  a  few  social  friends  at  a  cheerful  board !  The  usual 
time  of  sitting  at  table,  a  walk,  and  tea,  bring  me  within 
the  dawn  of  candlelight;  previous  to  which,  if  not  pre 
vented  by  company,  I  resolve,  that,  as  soon  as  the  glimmer 
ing  taper  supplies  the  place  of  the  great  luminary,  I  will 
retire  to  my  writing-table  and  acknowledge  the  letters  I 
have  received ;  but  when  the  lights  are  brought,  I  feel  tired 
and  disinclined  to  engage  in  this  work  conceiving  that  the 
next  night  will  do  as  well.  The  next  night  comes,  and  with 
it  the  same  causes  for  postponement,  and  so  on.  .  .  .  Having 
given  you  the  history  of  a  day,  it  will  serve  for  a  year." — 
Washington  to  James  McHenry. 

SATUKDAY,  JUNE  24. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  am  very  glad  to  hear,  that  my  old 
friend  and  acquaintance  General  Rochambeau  is  alive,  and 


1797]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  349 

in  the  enjoyment  of  tolerably  good  health.  It  is  some  years 
since  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  a  letter  from  him ;  but,  if 
it  should  fall  in  your  way  at  any  time  to  recall  me  to  his 
remembrance  by  the  presentation  of  my  best  regards  to 
him,  which  I  pray  you  to  accept  also  yourself,  it  would 
oblige  me." —  Washington  to  General  Mathieu  Dumas. 

THURSDAY,  JULY  6. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  On  the  6th  of  July  I  set  oif,  having 
a  letter  to  the  president  from  his  nephew,  my  particular 
friend,  Bushrod  Washington,  Esquire.  Having  alighted  at 
Mount  Vernon,  I  sent  in  my  letter  of  introduction,  and 
walked  into  the  portico,  west  of  the  river.  In  about  ten 
minutes  the  president  came  to  me.  He  wore  a  plain  blue 
coat ;  his  hair  dressed  and  powdered.  There  was  a  reserve, 
but  no  hauteur  in  his  manner.  He  shook  me  by  the  hand, 
said  he  was  glad  to  see  a  friend  of  his  nephew's,  drew  a 
chair,  and  desired  me  to  sit  down." — BENJAMIN  H.  LATROBE 
(Dunlap's  Arts  of  Design,  vol.  ii.  p.  475). 

"  After  conversing  with  me  for  more  than  two  hours,  he  got  up  and  said 
that,  '  we  should  meet  again  at  dinner.'  I  then  strolled  about  the  lawn,  and 
took  a  few  sketches  of  the  house,  &c.  Upon  my  return  I  found  Mrs.  Wash 
ington  and  her  grand-daughter,  Miss  Custis,  in  the  hall.  I  introduced  my 
self  to  Mrs.  Washington,  as  the  friend  of  her  nephew,  and  she  immediately 
entered  into  conversation  upon  the  prospect  from  the  lawn,  and  presently 
gave  me  an  account  of  her  family,  in  a  good-humoured  free  manner,  that  was 
extremely  pleasing  and  flattering.  She  retains  strong  remains  of  consider 
able  beauty,  and  seems  to  enjoy  good  health  and  as  good  humour.  She  has 
no  affectation  of  superiority,  but  acts  completely  in  the  character  of  the  mis 
tress  of  the  house  of  a  respectable  and  opulent  country  gentleman.  His 
grand-daughter,  Miss  Eleanor  Custis,  has  more  perfection  of  form,  of  ex 
pression,  of  colour,  of  softness,  and  of  firmness  of  mind,  than  I  have  ever 
seen  before.  Young  La  Payette,  with  his  tutor,  came  down  some  time  be 
fore  dinner.  He  is  a  young  man  of  seventeen  years  of  age,  of  a  mild, 
pleasant  countenance,  making  a  favourable  impression  at  first  sight.  Din 
ner  was  served  up  about  half-past  three.  .  .  . 

"Washington  has  something  uncommonly  majestic  and  commanding  in 
his  walk,  his  address,  his  figure,  and  his  countenance.  His  face  is  however 
characterized  more  by  intense  and  powerful  thought,  than  by  quick  and 


350  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1797 

powerful  conception.  There  is  a  mildness  about  its  expression,  and  an  air 
of  reserve  in  his  manner  which  lowers  its  tone  still  more.  He  is  sixty-four, 
but  appears  some  years  younger,  and  has  sufficient  vigour  to  last  many 
years  yet.  He  was  frequently  entirely  silent  for  many  minutes,  during 
which  time  an  awkward  silence  seemed  to  prevail  in  the  circle.  His  an 
swers  were  often  short,  and  sometimes  approaching  to  moroseness.  He  did 
not  at  any  time  speak  with  remarkable  fluency  ;  perhaps  the  extreme  correct 
ness  of  his  language,  which  almost  seemed  studied,  prevented  that  eifect. 
He  appeared  to  enjoy  a  humorous  observation,  and  made  several  himself. 
He  laughed  heartily  several  times,  and  in  a  very  good  humoured  manner.'1 — 
BENJAMIN  H.  LA.TROBE. 

FKIDAY,  JULY  7. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "Your  'View  of  the  Causes  and 
Consequences  of  the  present  War  with  France,'  which  you 
were  pleased  to  send  to  me  through  the  medium  of  Mr. 
Bond  of  Philadelphia,*  has  been  duly  received,  and  I  pray 
you  to  accept  my  best  acknowledgments  for  this  mark  of 
your  polite  attention,  particularly  for  the  exalted  compli 
ment  which  accompanied  it." —  Washington  to  Thomas  Ers- 
kine. 

The  exalted  compliment  referred  to  by  Washington  consisted  of  the  follow 
ing  sentiment  written  by  Mr.  Erskine,  afterward  the  celebrated  Lord  Ers- 
kine,  on  a  blank  page  of  his  pamphlet:  "  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  intro 
duce  your  august  and  immortal  name  in  a  short  sentence  which  is  to  be 
found  in  the  book  I  send  to  you.  I  have  a  large  acquaintance  among  the 
most  valuable  and  exalted  classes  of  men  ;  but  you  are  the  only  human 
being  for  whom  I  ever  felt  an  awful  reverence.  I  sincerely  pray  God  to 
grant  a  long  and  serene  evening  to  a  life  so  gloriously  devoted  to  the  uni 
versal  happiness  of  the  world." 

SATUEDAY,  JULY  15. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Our  crop  of  Wheat  this  year,  from 
the  best  information  I  have  been  able  to  obtain,  will  be 
found  very  short,  owing  to  three  causes;  an  uncommon 
drought  last  autumn,  a  severe  winter  with  but  little  snow 
to  protect  it,  and  which  is  still  more  to  be  regretted,  to 

*  Phineas  Bond,  Consul- General  from  Great  Britain  for  the  Middle  and 
Southern  States. 


1797]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  351 

what  with  us  is  denominated  the  Hessian  fly,  which  has 
spread  devastation,  more  or  less,  in  all  quarters ;  nor  has 
the  later  wheat  escaped  the  rust." — Washington  to  Sir  John 

Sinclair. 

SUNDAY,  JULY  23. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Your  mamma  went  from  here  (with 
your  sister  Nelly)  to  Hope  Park,  on  Wednesday,  and  is  as 
well  as  usual.  Your  sister  Law  and  child,  were  well  on 
that  day;  and  Mr.,  Mrs.,  and  Eleanor  Peter  are  all  well  at 
this  place  now,  and  many  others  in  the  house,  among  whom 
are  Mr.  Volney  and  Mr.  William  Morris." —  Washington  to 
George  Washington  Parke  Custis. 

"  General  Washington,  who  hated  free-thinkers,  was  of  course  not  very 
disposed  to  caress  Volney,  and  indeed,  as  President,  had  declined  to  notice 
the  French  emigrants.  Volney,  however,  paid  him  a  visit  at  Mount  Ver 
non,  where  he  was  received  bon  gre,  mal  gre,  and  entertained  with  the  usual 
kindness  shown  to  strangers.  When  about  to  depart  he  asked  the  general 
for  a  circular  letter  that  might  procure  him  aid  and  attention  on  the  long 
tour  he  was  ahout  commencing.  Washington  wrote  a  few  lines,  which 
Volney  considered,  it  was  said,  either  equivocal  praise  or  much  too  feeble  for 
his  exalted  merit,  hence  the  degrading  manner  in  which  he  speaks  of  that 
superlatively  great  man.  As  well  as  I  remember,  the  note  was  in  substance 
thus :  '  Monsieur  Volney,  who  has  become  so  celebrated  by  his  works,  need 
only  be  named  in  order  to  be  known  in  whatever  part  of  the  United  States 
he  may  travel.'  "  * — Recollections  of  Samuel  Breck  (1771-1862).  Philadel 
phia,  1877. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  29. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Your  grandmamma  (who  is  pre 
vented  writing  to  you  by  General  Spotswood  and  family's 
being  here)  has  been  a  good  deal  indisposed  by  swelling  on 
one  side  of  her  face,  but  it  is  now  much  better.  The  rest 
of  the  family  within  doors  are  all  well." — Washington  to 
George  Washington  Parke  Custis. 


*  "  C.  Volney  needs  no  recommendation  from  Geo.  Washington"  were 
the  words  used. 


352  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1797 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  8. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  8. — Gave  G.  W.  La  Fayette 
a  check  on  the  Bank  of  Alexandria  for  the  purpose  of 
defraying  his  expenses  to  France,  $300."* — Washington's 
Cash-Book. 

"  October  8. — This  letter  I  hope  and  expect  will  be  presented  to  you  by 
your  son,  who  is  highly  deserving  of  such  parents  as  you  and  your  amiable 
lady.  .  .  .  His  conduct,  since  he  first  set  his  feet  on  American  ground,  has 
been  exemplary  in  every  point  of  view,  such  as  has  gained  him  the  esteem, 
affection,  and  confidence  of  all  who  have  had  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaint 
ance.  His  filial  affection  and  duty,  and  his  ardent  desire  to  embrace  his 
parents  and  sisters  in  the  first  moments  of  their  release,  would  not  allow 
him  to  wait  the  authentic  account  of  this  much  desired  event ;  but,  at  the 
same  time  that  I  suggested  the  propriety  of  this,  I  could  not  withhold  my 
assent  to  the  gratification  of  his  wishes  to  fly  to  the  arms  of  those  whom  he 
holds  most  dear,  persuaded  as  he  is  from  the  information  he  has  received, 
that  he  shall  find  you  all  in  Paris. 

"  M.  Frestel  has  been  a  true  Mentor  to  George.  No  parent  could  have 
been  more  attentive  to  a  favorite  son ;  and  he  richly  merits  all  that  can  be 
said  of  his  virtues,  of  his  good  sense,  and  of  his  prudence.  Both  your  son 
and  he  carry  with  them  the  vows  and  regrets  of  this  family,  and  all  who 
know  them.  And  you  may  be  assured,  that  yourself  never  stood  higher  in 
the  affections  of  the  people  of  this  country,  than  at  the  present  moment." — 
Washington  to  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette. 

FRIDAY,  OCTOBER  13. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "I  suffered  every  attack,  that  was 
made  upon  my  executive  conduct,  to  pass  unnoticed  while 
I  remained  in  public  office,  well  knowing,  that,  if  the  gen 
eral  tenor  of  it  would  not  stand  the  test  of  investigation,  a 
newspaper  vindication  would  be  of  little  avail ;  but,  as  im 
mense  pains  have  been  taken  to  disseminate  these  counter 
feit  letters,  I  conceived  it  a  justice  due  to  my  own  character 
and  to  posterity  to  disavow  them  in  explicit  terms;  and 
this  I  did  in  a  letter  directed  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  to 
be  filed  in  his  office,  the  day  on  which  I  closed  my  admin 
istration.  This  letter  has  since  been  published  in  the 

*  George  Washington  Lafayette  and  his  tutor  M.  Frestel  sailed  from  New 
York  for  France  on  the  26th  of  October. 


1797]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  353 

gazettes  by  the  head  of  that  department." — Washington  to 
William  Gordon. 

In  allusion  to  the  republication  in  1796  of  a  series  of  letters  originally 
published  at  London  in  June,  1777,  under  the  title  of  "  Letters  from  Gen 
eral  Washington  to  several  of  his  Friends  in  the  year  1776,  in  which  are  set 
forth  a  fairer  and  fuller  view  of  American  Politics,  than  ever  yet  transpired 
or  the  Public  could  be  made  acquainted  with  through  any  other  channel," 
none  of  which,  however,  were  written  by  Washington. 

These  spurious  letters,  purporting  to  have  been  written  in  the  months  of 
June  and  July,  1776,  were  seven  in  number,  five  addressed  to  Lund  Wash 
ington,  manager  of  the  Mount  Vernon  estate,  one  to  Mrs  Washington,  and 
one  to  John  Parke  Custis,  her  son  ;  "  the  first  draughts,  or  foul  copies,"  of 
which  were  said  to  have  been  found  in  a  small  portmanteau  taken  from  a 
servant  of  the  general,  at  Fort  Lee,  in  November,  1776. 

These  letters  were  reprinted  at  New  York  in  1778,  at  Philadelphia  in 
1795,  and  at  London  and  New  York,  with  other  letters,  in  1796,  with  the 
title :  "  Epistles,  domestic,  confidential,  and  official  from  General  Washing 
ton,  etc."  The  appearance  of  the  latter  publication  called  out  a  letter  from 
Washington  (March  3,  1797)  to  Timothy  Pickering,  Secretary  of  State,  in 
which  he  declared  them  to  be  base  forgeries,  and  that  he  had  never  seen  or 
heard  of  them  until  they  appeared  in  print. 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBEK  6. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  An  eight  years  absence  from  home 
(except  occasional  short  visits  to  it),  has  thrown  my  build 
ing,  and  other  matters  of  private  concern,  into  so  much 
disorder,  that  at  no  period  of  my  life  have  I  ever  been 
more  engaged,  than  in  the  last  six  or  eight  months,  to  re 
pair  &  bring  them  into  tune  again." — Washington  to  Sir 
John  Sinclair. 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBEK  13. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "The  running  off  of  my  cook  has 
been  a  most  inconvenient  thing  to  this  family,  and  what 
rendered  it  more  disagreeable,  is  that  I  had  resolved  never 
to  become  the  Master  of  another  slave  by  purchase,  but 
this  resolution  I  fear  I  must  break.  I  have  endeavored  to 
hire,  black  or  white,  but  am  not  yet  supplied." —  Washing 
ton  to  George  Lewis. 

23 


354  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1797 

SATUKDAY,  DECEMBEK  2. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  To  have  steered  my  bark  amid  the 
intricacies  of  variegated  public  employment  to  a  haven  of 
rest  with  an  approving  conscience,  and,  while  receiving  the 
approbation  of  my  own  country  for  the  part  I  have  acted, 
to  meet  similar  proofs  of  it  from  many  of  the  moderate  and 
virtuous  of  other  countries,  consummates  my  greatest  wish 
and  all  my  ambition,  and  in  my  eye  is  more  precious  than 
any  thing  that  power  or  riches  could  have  bestowed." — 
Washington  to  John  Luzac,  Professor  in  the  University  at 
Leyden. 

From  the  beginning  of  the  American  Revolution,  Professor  Luzac  had 
acted  a  zealous  part  in  favor  of  the  friends  of  liberty  ;  and,  as  editor  of  the 
Leyden  Gazette  for  many  years,  had  ably  promulgated  the  principles  of  free 
dom,  and  defended  the  cause  and  conduct  of  those  who  were  struggling  to 
establish  them.  To  no  pen  in  Europe  were  the  United  States  so  much  in 
debted  for  a  just  representation  of  their  affairs  and  defence  of  their  rights  as 
to  that  of  Professor  Luzac. 

MONDAY,  DECEMBER  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  A  very  severe  winter  has  com 
menced,  since  the  first  of  November  we  have  hardly  ex 
perienced  a  moderate  day;  heavy  rains  following  severe 
frosts  have  done  more  damage  to  the  winter  grain  now 
growing  than  I  recollect  ever  to  have  seen — at  this  moment 
and  for  several  days  past  all  the  Creeks  and  small  Waters 
are  hard  bound  with  ice — and  if  the  navigation  of  the 
River  is  not  entirely  stoped  is  yet  very  much  impeded  by 
it." — Washington  to  John  Marshall,  at  Paris. 


1798. 


WEDNESDAY,  JANUAEY  3. 

At  Alexandria :  "  January  3. — Mra  Washington,  myself 
&ca  went  to  Alexandria  &  dined  with  Mr  Fitzhugh." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  JANUARY  8. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  January  8. — A  Mr  Marshall  Music 
Master  came  here — Tuned  Nelly  Custis's  Harpsicord  & 
returned  after  dinner." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  Nelly  Custis's  Harpsicord,"  which  was  presented  to  her  by  "Washington, 
is  now  at  Mount  Vernon.  Lossing,  in  his  Mount  Vernon  and  its  Associations, 
says,  "The  best  teachers  were  employed  to  instruct  Nelly  in  the  use  of  the 
harpsichord,  and  her  grandmother  made  her  practise  upon  it  four  or  five 
hours  every  day.  'The  poor  girl,'  says  her  brother,  the  late  Mr.  Custis, 
'  would  play  and  cry,  and  cry  and  play,  for  long  hours,  under  the  immediate 
eye  of  her  grandmother,  a  rigid  disciplinarian  in  all  things.'  " 

MONDAY,  JANUARY  15. 

At  Alexandria :  "  January  15. — I  went  to  Alexandria  to  a 
meeting  of  the  Stockholders  of  that  Bank  to  an  Election 
of  Directors." — Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  7. 

At  George  Town :  "  February  7. — "Went  to  a  meet8  of  the 
Potomak  C°  in  George  Town — Dined  at  Col°  Fitzgeralds  & 
lodged  at  Mr  T.  Peters.  February  8. — Visited  the  Public 
build88  in  the  Morn8  met  the  Comp7  at  the  Union  Tavern  & 
dined  there — lodged  as  before  Weather  very  cold.  Febru 
ary  9. — Returned  home  to  Dinner." —  Washington's  Diary. 

355 


356  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1798 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  12. 

At  Alexandria :  "  February  12. — Went  with  the  family  to 
a  Ball  in  Alex*  given  by  the  Citizens  of  it  &  its  vicinity  in 
commemoration  of  the  anniversary  of  my  birth  day." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

The  Gregorian,  or  "New  Style"  of  computing  the  length  of  the  year, 
although  promulgated  in  1582,  was  not  adopted  by  Great  Britain  until  1751, 
nineteen  years  after  the  birth  of  Washington.  It  was  then  enacted  that 
eleven  nominal  days  should  be  omitted  ;  "Wednesday  the  second  of  September, 
1752,  being  made  the  last  day  of  "  Old  Style,"  and  the  next  day  (Thursday) 
counted  the  fourteenth  instead  of  the  third.  After  that  date  Washington's 
birthday  would  be  February  twenty-second  instead  of  February  eleventh. 
In  some  localities  the  uOld  Style"  remained  in  use  for  a  long  time,  espe 
cially  in  the  case  of  birthdays.  The  anniversary  ball  at  Alexandria,  it  will 
be  noticed,  was  held  on  the  twelfth,  in  consequence  of  the  eleventh  of  Feb 
ruary,  1798,  falling  on  Sunday. 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  14. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  February  14. — Mr  Alex'  Spotswood 
&  Wife  &  Mr  Field8  Lewis  *  &  Mr  Lear  came  to  dinner  the 
latter  returned  afterwards.  February  15. — Mr  Field8  Lewis 
went  away  after  dinner.  February  16. — Mr  &  Mra  Spots- 
wood  left  us  after  breakfast." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  4. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  March  4. — Doctr  Stuart  came  to 
dinner.  March  5. — Doct*  Stuart  left  this,  to  accompany 
Washington  Custis  to  S4  Johns  College  at  Annapolis." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  18. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  March  18. — Mr  Steer  Sen'  &  Jun' 
Miss  Steer  &  MM  Vanhaven  dined  here  &  returned  to  Alexa 

*  Washington's  sister  Betty,  who  married  in  1760  Colonel  Fielding  Lewis, 
of  Fredericksburg,  Virginia,  had  six  children:  Fielding  (above  mentioned), 
Betty,  who  married  Charles  Carter,  George  Fielding,  Robert,  Howell,  and 
Lawrence.  There  were  other  children,  who  died  young.  Colonel  Lewis 
died  December,  1781,  and  Betty  Washington,  who  was  his  second  wife,  died 
March  31,  1797. 


1798]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  357 

afterwards.  .  .  .  March  19. — Dined  with  M™  Washington 
&ca  at  Mr  Thomson  Mason's." —  Washington's  Diary. 


TUESDAY,  MAKCH  20. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "March  20. — Mr  Law*  Washington 
of  Chotanck  &  Mr  Law6  Washington  of  Belmont  came  to 
Dinner — Albin  Rawlins  came  to  live  with  me  as  Clerk." — 
Washington's  Diary. 


Lawrence  Washington,  of  Chotank,  was  a  descendant  of  Lawrence  the 
Immigrant,  the  brother  of  John  Washington,  the  great-grandfather  of 
General  Washington.  In  his  will  the  General  bequeathed  him  a  gold-headed 
cane  and  also  a  spy-glass  carried  in  the  Kevolution,  designating  him  as  the 
acquaintance  and  friend  of  his  juvenile  years.  Lawrence  Washington,  of 
Belmont,  Fairfax  County,  was  probably  another  descendant  of  Lawrence 
the  Immigrant. 


TUESDAY,  MAKCH  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "March  27. — Mr  Charles  Carroll  Jim 
[son  of  Charles  Carroll  of  Carroll  ton]  &  Mr  Willm  Lee  came 
to  dinner.  March  28. — Mr  Carroll  &  Mr  Lee  went  away 
after  breakfast  &  the  family  here  went  to  dine  with  Mr 
Nichols." —  Washington's  Diary. 


The  visit  of  young  Mr.  Carroll  having  given  rise  at  Annapolis  to  a  rumor 
that  it  was  made  with  the  intention  of  paying  his  addresses  to  Nelly  Custis, 
her  brother  wrote  to  the  General  in  allusion  to  it,  saying,  "  I  think  it  a  most 
desirable  match,  and  wish  that  it  may  take  place  with  all  my  heart."  In 
reply,  under  date  of  April  15,  Washington  wrote,  "  Young  Mr  Carroll 
came  here  about  a  fortnight  ago  to  dinner,  and  left  us  next  morning  after 
breakfast.  If  his  object  was  such  as  you  say  has  been  reported,  it  was  not 
declared  here ;  and  therefore,  the  less  is  said  upon  the  subject,,  particularly 
by  your  sister's  friends,  the  more  prudent  it  will  be  until  the  subject  developes 
itself  more." 

But  youthful  alliances  are  not  always  made  at  the  nod  of  Dame  Humor, 
nor  are  they  always  controlled  by  the  wishes  of  relatives.  Nelly  Custis 
married,  February  22,  1799,  at  Mount  Vernon,  Lawrence  Lewis,  a  nephew 
of  Washington ;  and  Charles  Carroll,  Junior,  found,  in  the  following  year,  a 
bride  at  Philadelphia  in  Harriet,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Chew. 


358  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1798 

SATUKDAY,  MARCH  31. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  March  31. — A  Mr  Tevot  a  French 
Gentleman  recomd  by  Count  de  Rochambeau  dined  here — 
&  a  Mr  [Jonathan]  Freeman  Member  in  Congress  from  N : 
Hamp.  came  in  the  afternoon  &  returned." —  Washington's 
Diary. 

FKIDAY,  APEIL  13. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  April  13. — Gen1  Lee  came  to  dinner 
&  Col°  Heath  &  son  in  the  after0.  April  14. — Gen1  Lee  & 
Col°  Heath  went  away  after  breakfast." — Washington's 
Diary. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  16. 

At  Alexandria :  "April  16. — I  went  to  Alex*  to  an  Elec 
tion  of  Delegates  for  the  Cty  of  Fairfax — voted  for  Mess™ 
West  &  Jn°  Herbert — returned  to  Dinner.  May  9. — I  went 
to  the  Proclamn  sermon  in  Alexandria." — Washington's 
Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  16. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  A  century  hence,  if  this  country 
keeps  united  (and  it  is  surely  its  policy  and  interest  to  do 
it),  will  produce  a  city,  though  not  as  large  as  London,  yet 
of  a  magnitude  inferior  to  few  others  in  Europe,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Potomac,  where  one  is  now  establishing  for 
the  permanent  seat  of  the  government  of  the  United  States, 
between  Alexandria  and  Georgetown,  on  the  Maryland 
side  of  the  river ;  a  situation  not  excelled,  for  commanding 
prospect,  good  water,  salubrious  air,  and  safe  harbour,  by 
any  in  the  world;  and  where  elegant  buildings  are  erecting 
and  in  forwardness  for  the  reception  of  Congress  in  the  year 
1800."—  Washington  to  Mrs.  S.  Fairfax* 

*  Mrs.  Fairfax  (Sally  Gary)  was  the  widow  of  George  "William  Fairfax, 
of  "  Belvoir,"  the  neighbor  and  early  friend  of  Washington.  The  Fairfaxes 
left  Virginia  in  1773,  and  settled  at  Bath,  England,  where  Mr.  Fairfax  died, 


1798]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  359 

SATUKDAY,  MAY  19. 

At  Hope  Park  :  *  "  May  19.— About  8  Oclock  in  the  fore 
noon  M™  Washington  &  myself  sat  out  on  a  visit  to  Hope 
Park  &  the  Federal  City. — Got  to  the  former  to  Dinner  and 
remained  there  until  Morning  when  we  proceeded  to  the 

City." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MAY  20. 

At  Washington  City:  "May  20.— Dined  at  Mr  Tho" 
Peter's  &  remained  there  until  Wednesday,  and  then  went 
to  Mr  Law's  &  remained  there  until  friday  [May  25]  when 
we  sat  out  on  our  return  home  &  called  at  Mount  Eagle  to 
take  our  leave  of  the  Revd  Mr  Fairfax  who  was  on  the  point 
of  Embarking  for  England." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MAY  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  An  absence  for  more  than  eight 
days  from  home,  on  a  visit  to  our  friends  in  the  Federal 
City,  is  offered  as  an  apology  for  my  not  giving  your  polite 
and  obliging  favor  of  the  9th  instant  an  earlier  acknowl 
edgment.  I  pray  you  now,  my  good  Sir,  to  accept  my  best 
thanks  for  the  pamphlet,  and  the  song  which  accompanied 
it." — Washington  to  Joseph  Hopkinson. 

The  song  referred  to  in  the  above-quoted  letter  was  the  national  air, 
"Hail  Columbia,"  the  words  of  which  were  written  by  Joseph  Hopkinson, 
and  adapted  to  the  music  of  the  "  President's  March,"  composed  in  1789  by 
a  German  named  Feyles,  who  at  the  time  was  the  leader  of  the  orchestra  at 
the  John  Street  Theatre  in  New  York.  "  Hail  Columbia"  was  first  sung  at 
the  Chestnut  Street  Theatre,  Philadelphia,  by  Gilbert  Fox  on  the  evening 
of  Wednesday,  the  25th  of  April,  1798.f  Judge  Hopkinson,  alluding  to  the 

April  3,  1787.  Mrs.  Fairfax,  for  whom  Washington  in  his  early  days  had 
a  sincere  admiration,  died  at  Bath  in  1811. 

*  Five  miles  northwest  of  Fairfax  Court-House.  Hope  Park  was  the 
residence  of  Dr.  David  Stuart,  who  married  the  widow  of  John  Parke 
Custis.  For  some  time  after  their  marriage  (1783)  the  Stuarts  lived  at 
Abingdon,  near  Alexandria. 

f  "New  Theatre.  ME.  FOX'S  NIGHT.  This  Evening,  April  25,  BY 
DESIKE.  THE  ITALIAN  MONK.  .  .  .  End  of  the  Play, 'More  Sack.' 


360  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1798 

song  in  his  letter  to  Washington  of  May  9,  said,  "As  to  the  song  it  was  a 
hasty  composition,  and  can  pretend  to  very  little  extrinsic  merit — yet  I 
believe  its  public  reception  has  at  least  equalled  anything  of  the  kind.  The 
Theatres  here  and  at  New  York  have  resounded  with  it  night  after  night, 
and  men  and  boys  in  the  streets  sing  it  as  they  go. " 

TUESDAY,  MAY  29. 

At  Alexandria :  "  May  29. — Went  up  to  Alex*  on  busi 
ness  &  returned  home  to  dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 


THUKSDAY,  MAY  31. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  May  31. — Mr  Delivs  of  Bremen  & 
a  Mr  Pekmoller  of  Hamburgh  dined  here  &  returned  after 
wards." —  Washington's  Diary. 


A  letter  from  one  of  these  gentlemen,  written  in  1858,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
four,  is  quoted  on  page  460  of  Custis's  Recollections  of  Washington,  in  which, 
after  referring  to  some  pictures  of  the  Washington  family  which  hung  in 
his  hall,  he  says,  "  They  vividly  call  to  my  mind  the  day — the  proudest  of 
my  life — that  I  passed  upon  the  beautiful  banks  of  the  Potomac,  in  the 
family  of  the  best  and  greatest  personage  that  the  world  has  ever  produced. 
It  was  in  May,  1798,  now  nearly  sixty-one  years  ago.  I  was  seated  at  his 
right  hand  at  dinner,  and  I  recollect  as  distinctly  his  majestic  bearing  as  if 
it  were  yesterday.  Though  of  mortality,  his  overpowering  presence  in 
spired  an  impression  that  he  belonged  to  immortality.  His  stateliness,  his 
serene  face,  the  perfect  simplicity  of  his  manners,  his  modest  demeanor,  and 
the  words  of  wisdom  which  he  uttered,  led  me  irresistibly  to  the  belief  that 
he  was  an  emanation  from  the  Omnipotent,  for  the  marvellous  work  that  he 
had  just  then  consummated.  It  was  my  good  fortune  to  contemplate  him 
in  his  retirement — after  he  had  left  nothing  undone  that  he  could  perform 
for  the  republic  of  his  creation,  and  after  he  had  quitted  office  for  ever! 
What  a  privilege  I  enjoyed  in  being  his  welcome  guest !  Of  the  240,000,000 
of  people  in  Europe,  I  imagine  I  am  the  only  person,  since  the  death  of  La 
fayette,  who  was  so  favored  as  to  break  bread  and  take  wine  with  Washing 
ton  at  his  own  table. ' ' 

An  Epilogue,  in  the  character  of  Sir  John  Falstaff,  to  be  spoken  by  Mr. 
Warren.  After  which,  an  intire  new  song,  (written  by  a  Citizen  of  Phila 
delphia)  to  the  tune  of  the  '  President's  March,'  will  be  sung  by  Mr.  Fox ; 
accompanied  by  the  full  band,  and  a  grand  chorus." — Claypoole's  American 
Daily  Advertiser,  Wednesday,  April  25,  1798. 


1*798]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  361 

SATUKDAY,  JUNE  2. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  June  2. — Mr  Law  &  a  Polish  Gen 
tleman  [Mr.  Niemcewitz]  the  Companion  of  General  Kos- 
ciaski  came  here  to  dinner,  as  did  Miss  Lee  of  Green 
Spring  *  with  Nelly  Custis  who  returnd  to  day  [from  Hope 
Park]." —  Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  4. 

At  Alexandria  :  "  July  4. — Went  up  to  the  Celebration 
of  the  Anniversary  of  Independance  and  dined  in  the 
Spring  Gardens  near  Alex"  with  a  large  Compa  of  the  Civil 
&  Military  of  Fairfax  County." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"Alexandria,  July  7. — The  23d  Anniversary  of  American  Independence 
was  celebrated  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  town,  on  Wednesday  last,  with 
the  greatest  harmony  and  conviviality. — Every  thing  conspired  to  render  the 
business  of  the  day  a  varied  scene  of  patriotism  and  social  joy;  and  the  dig 
nified  presence  of  the  beloved  WASHINGTON,  our  illustrious  neighbor, 
gave  such  a  high  colouring  to  the  tout  ensemble,  that  nothing  was  wanting 
to  complete  the  picture.  The  auspicious  morning  was  ushered  in  by  a  dis 
charge  of  sixteen  guns.  At  10  o'clock  the  uniform  companies  paraded  ;  and, 
it  must  be  acknowledged,  their  appearance  was  such  as  entitles  them  to 
the  greatest  credit,  while  it  reflects  honor  on  their  officers  and  the  town — it 
was  perfectly  military :  .  .  .  The  different  corps  were  reviewed  in  King  street 
by  General  Washington,  and  Col.  Little,  who  expressed  the  highest  satisfac 
tion  at  their  appearance  and  manoeuvring ;  after  which  they  proceeded  to  the 
Episcopal  Church,  where  a  suitable  discourse  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Davis.  Of  this  discourse  I  may  say,  with  the  expressive  Collins,  it  was 

1 '  '  Warm,  energetic,  chaste,  sublime. ' 

"  A  dinner  was  prepared  at  Spring  Gardens  by  Mr.  John  Stavely  ;  which, 
considering  the  number  of  citizens  and  military  that  partook  of  it  (between 
4  and  500)  was  conducted  with  the  greatest  propriety  and  decorum. — Lud- 
well  Lee,  esq.  presided  at  the  head  of  the  table — the  foot  was  honored  by 
Col.  Charles  Little.  .  .  .  GEN.  WASHINGTON  was  escorted  into  town 
by  a  detachment  from  the  troop  of  Dragoons.  He  was  dressed  in  full  uni 
form,  and  appeared  in  good  health  and  spirits.  The  troops  went  through  a 
number  of  military  evolutions  during  the  day,  with  all  of  which  the  General 


*  Cornelia  Lee,  daughter  of  William  Lee,  a  brother  of  Richard  Henry 
Lee. 


362  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1798 

was  particularly  pleased,  and  bestowed  many  encomiums  on  their  martial 
appearance." — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser,  July  19. 

THURSDAY,  JULY  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  The  President's  letter  to  me  [of 
June  22],  though  not  so  expressed  in  terms,  is  nevertheless 
strongly  indicative  of  a  wish,  that  I  should  take  charge  of 
the  military  force  of  this  country ;  and,  if  I  take  his  mean 
ing  right,  to  aid  also  in  the  selection  of  the  general  officers. 
The  appointment  of  these  is  important,  but  of  those  of  the 
general  staff  all-important ;  insomuch  that,  if  I  am  looked 
to  as  the  commander-in-chief,  I  must  be  allowed  to  choose 
such  as  will  be  agreeable  to  me.  To  say  more  at  present 
would  be  unnecessary ;  first,  because  an  army  may  not  be 
wanted ;  and,  secondly,  because  I  might  not  be  indulged  in 
this  choice  if  it  was." —  Washington  to  James  Me  Henry. 

On  the  28th  of  May  a  law  was  passed  by  Congress,  authorizing  the  Presi 
dent,  "  in  the  event  of  a  declaration  of  war  against  the  United  States,  or  of 
actual  invasion  of  their  territory  by  a  foreign  power,  or  of  imminent  danger 
of  such  invasion  discovered  in  his  opinion  to  exist,  before  the  next  session 
of  Congress,  to  cause  to  be  enlisted,  and  to  call  into  actual  service,  a  number 
of  troops  not  exceeding  ten  thousand  non-commissioned  officers,  musicians, 
and  privates,  to  be  enlisted  for  a  term  not  exceeding  three  years."  Au 
thority  was  also  given  to  the  President  to  organize  the  army,  with  a  suit 
able  number  of  major-generals  and  other  officers,  into  corps  of  artillery, 
cavalry,  and  infantry ;  and,  in  short,  to  make  every  arrangement  for  pre 
paring  the  forces  for  actual  service.  This  was  called  a  Provisional  Army. 
The  measure  was  adopted  in  consequence  of  the  threatening  aspect  of  affairs 
between  France  and  the  United  States.  The  causes  and  particulars  are 
briefly  stated  in  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington,  vol.  v.  pp.  735-746. 

FRIDAY,  JULY  6. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "July  6. — Doctors  Thornton*  &  Dai- 
son — Mr  Ludwell  Lee,  Lady  &  Miss  Armistead,  &  Mr  David 


*  Dr.  William  Thornton,  a  West  Indian  by  birth.  He  was  educated  as 
a  physician  and  lived  for  many  years  in  Philadelphia.  Dr.  Thornton,  who 
was  a  skilled  architect,  drew  the  plans  and  superintended  the  erection,  in  its 
early  stages,  of  the  first  Capitol  building  at  Washington  City.  He  was  the 
first  head  of  the  Patent  Office. 


1798]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  363 

Randolph  &  a  Son  of  Col°  R.  Kidder  Mead  *  came  here  to 
Dinner,  the  two  last  proceeded  to  Alex*  afterwards.  July 
7. — Mr  R.  Bland  Lee  &  Mr  Hodgderi  came  here  to  dinner 
&  Mr  Ludwell  Lee  &  Lady  went  away  after  Din." —  Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  JULY  12. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  July  12. — The  following  Comp7 
dined  here  Col01  Fitzgerald  &  Simms  Mr  Herbert  &  Son — 
Doctr  Craik  &  Son — Mr  L  :  Lee  Col  Ramsay — Cap  Young  & 
L*  Jones  Mr  Potts  Wm  Wilson,  Mr  Porter  Doctr  Cook  Mr 
Riddle  Mr  Lear  Mr  Tracy— &  six  Ladies  &  4  Gentn  from  Mr 
Rogers." — Washington's  Diary. 

FEIDAY,  JULY  13. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  I  had  the  honor,  on  the  evening  of 
the  11th  instant,  to  receive  from  the  hands  of  the  Secretary 
of  War  f  your  favor  of  the  7th.  announcing  that  you  had, 
with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  appointed  me 
lieutenant-general  and  commander- in-chief  of  all  the  armies 
raised  or  to  be  raised  for  the  service  of  the  United  States.  % 

"  I  cannot  express  how  greatly  affected  I  am  at  this  new 
proof  of  public  confidence,  and  the  highly  flattering  manner 
in  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  make  the  communica 
tion  ;  at  the  same  time  I  must  not  conceal  from  you  my 
earnest  wish,  that  the  choice  had  fallen  on  a  man  less  de 
clined  in  years,  and  better  qualified  to  encounter  the  usual 
vicissitudes  of  war." — Washington  to  John  Adams,  President 
of  the  United  States. 

*  Richard  Kidder  Meade,  an  aide  to  General  "Washington  in  the  Revolu 
tion,  and  the  father  of  William  Meade,  Protestant  Episcopal  Bishop  of 
Virginia,  1841-62. 

f  "  July  11. — Mr  M°Henry  — Secy  of  War  came  in  the  evening.  July  14. — 
The  Sec?  of  War  left  this  after  dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 

f  On  the  2d  of  July  the  President  nominated  to  the  Senate  "  George 
Washington,  of  Mount  Vernon,  to  he  Lieutenant  General  and  Commander 
in  Chief  of  all  the  armies  raised  or  to  he  raised,  in  the  United  States."  The 
nomination  was  unanimously  confirmed  by  the  Senate  the  next  day. 


364  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1798 

In  continuing  this  letter,  Washington  said,  "  It  was  not  possible  for  me 
to  remain  ignorant  of,  or  indifferent  to  recent  transactions.  The  conduct  of 
the  Directory  of  France  towards  our  country,  their  insidious  hostilities  to 
its  government,  their  various  practices  to  withdraw  the  affections  of  the 
people  from  it,  the  evident  tendency  of  their  arts  and  those  of  their  agents 
to  countenance  and  invigorate  opposition,  their  disregard  of  solemn  treaties 
and  the  laws  of  nations,  their  war  upon  our  defenceless  commerce,  their 
treatment  of  our  minister  of  peace,  and  their  demands  amounting  to  tribute, 
could  not  fail  to  excite  in  me  corresponding  sentiments  with  those  which 
my  countrymen  have  so  generally  expressed  in  their  affectionate  addresses  to 
you.  Believe  me,  Sir,  no  one  can  more  cordially  approve  of  the  wise  and 
prudent  measures  of  your  administration.  They  ought  to  inspire  universal 
confidence,  and  will  no  doubt,  combined  with  the  state  of  things,  call  from 
Congress  such  laws  and  means,  as  will  enable  you  to  meet  the  full  force  and 
extent  of  the  crisis. 

"Satisfied,  therefore,  that  you  have  sincerely  wished  and  endeavoured  to 
avert  war,  and  exhausted  to  the  last  drop  the  cup  of  reconciliation,  we  can 
with  pure  hearts  appeal  to  Heaven  for  the  justice  of  our  cause,  and  may  con 
fidently  trust  the  final  result  to  that  kind  Providence,  which  has  heretofore 
and  so  often  signally  favored  the  people  of  these  United  States. 

"Thinking  in  this  manner  and  feeling  how  incumbent  it  is  upon  every 
person  of  every  description  to  contribute  at  all  times  to  his  country's  welfare, 
and  especially  in  a  moment  like  the  present,  when  every  thing  we  hold  dear 
is  so  seriously  threatened,  I  have  finally  determined  to  accept  the  commis 
sion  of  commander-in-chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United  States  ;  *  with  the 

*  "  John  Adams  President  of  the  United  States  of  America  To  all  who 
shall  see  these  Presents  Greetings  :  Know  Ye,  That  reposing  special  Trust 
and  Confidence  in  the  Patriotism,  Valour,  Fidelity  and  Abilities  of  George 
"Washington  I  have  nominated  and  by  and  with  the  Advice  and  Consent  of 
the  Senate,  do  appoint  him  Lieutenant  General  and  Commander  in  Chief 
of  all  the  Armies  raised  or  to  be  raised  for  the  Service  of  the  United  States: 
He  is  therefore  carefully  and  diligently  to  discharge  the  Duty  of  Lieutenant 
General  &  Commander  in  Chief  by  doing  and  performing  all  Manner  of 
Things  thereunto  belonging:  And  I  do  Strictly  charge  and  require  all 
Officers  and  Soldiers  under  his  Command,  to  be  obedient  to  his  orders  as 
Lieutenant  General  &  Commander  in  Chief:  And  he  is  to  observe  and 
Follow  such  Orders  and  Directions  from  time  to  time,  as  he  shall  receive 
from  me,  or  the  Future  President  of  the  United  States  of  America,  This 
Commission  to  continue  in  Force  during  the  Pleasure  of  the  President  of 
the  United  States  for  the  Time  being.  Given  under  my  Hand,  at  Philadel 
phia  this  Fourth  day  of  July  in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  One  thousand  seven 
Hundred  and  ninety  eight  and  in  the  twenty  third  Year  of  the  Indepen 
dence  of  the  United  States.  «  JOHN  Aj)AMS. 

"  JAMES  MCHENRY,  Secry.  of  War." 


1798]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  365 

reserve  only,  that  I  shall  not  be  called  into  the  field  until  the  army  is  in  a 
situation  to  require  my  presence,  or  it  becomes  indispensable  by  the  urgency 
of  circumstances." 

FRIDAY,  JULY  20. 

At  Alexandria :  "  July  20. — Went  up  to  Alex*  with  MM 
W.  &  Miss  Cus[tis],  dined  at  Doct*  Craiks  retd  in  y6  aftV— 
Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  I  little  imagined,  when  I  took  my 
last  leave  of  the  walks  of  public  life,  that  any  event  could 
bring  me  again  on  a  public  theatre.  But  the  unjust  con 
duct  of  France  towards  these  United  States  has  been  and 
continues  to  be  such,  that  it  must  be  opposed  by  a  firm  and 
manly  resistance,  or  we  shall  not  only  hazard  the  subjuga 
tion  of  our  government,  but  the  independence  of  our  nation 
also ;  both  being  evidently  struck  at  by  a  lawless,  domineer 
ing  power,  which  respects  no  rights,  and  is  restrained  by  no 
treaties,  when  it  is  found  inconvenient  to  observe  them." — 
Washington  to  Dr.  James  Anderson. 

FRIDAY,  JULY  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  The  G-reyheads  of  Alexandria, 
pretty  numerous  it  seems,  and  composed  of  all  the  respect 
able  old  People  of  the  place;  having  formed  themselves 
into  a  company  for  the  defence  of  the  Town  &  its  Vicinity, 
are  in  want  of  Colors;  and  it  being  intimated  that  the 
Presentation  of  them  by  Mrs.  Washington  would  be  flat 
tering  to  them ;  I  take  the  liberty  of  requesting  the  favor 
of  you  to  have  made  and  sent  to  me  as  soon  as  it  is  con 
venient,  such  as  will  be  appropriate  to  the  occasion.  Hand 
some,  but  not  more  expensive  than  becomes  Republicans 
(not  Bachite  Republicans)  is  reqd.  If  you  think  a  Motto 
would  be  proper,  the  choice  of  one  <  chaste  &  unassuming' 
— is  left  to  your  own  judgment." — Washington  to  James 
McHenry. 


366  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.          [1798 

"  ALEXANDKIA,  November  1.— Tuesday  last  [October  30],  being  the 
anniversary  of  the  birth  day  of  our  beloved  and  patriotic  President  John 
Adams,  was  observed  in  this  town  with  military  honours.  The  uniform 
companies  of  militia,  and  the  company  of  Silver  Grays,  went  through  a 
variety  of  manoeuvres  and  evolutions,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
George  Deneale.  After  firing  several  rounds  in  evidence  of  their  attach 
ment  to  this  good  man,  as  well  as  to  shew  that  they  approbated  his  conduct 
towards  the  insidious  French  Directory,  they  retired  in  the  evening  with  the 
utmost  decorum  and  harmony. 

"  A  stand  of  colours,  presented  by  the  respected  consort  of  our  venerable 
Cincinnatus  to  the  company  of  Silver  Grays,  was  displayed  for  the  first  time 
on  that  day ;  and,  though  a  variety  of  incidents  prevented  their  being  en 
tirely  completed,  they  had  a  very  elegant  appearance.  The  colours  are  com 
posed  of  white  silk ;  the  device  is,  however,  on  an  azure  blue  ground.  The 
Golden  Eagle  of  America  has  a  portrait  of  General  Washington  *  suspended 
from  its  beak,  in  one  talon  a  bunch  of  arrows,  in  the  other  a  branch  of  olive, 
and  is  surmounted  by  sixteen  Stars,  indicative  of  the  number  of  States ! 
The  motto— '  FIRM  IN  DEFENCE  OF  OUR  COUNTRY !'"— day- 
poole's  American  Daily  Advertiser,  November  6. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  6. 

At  Alexandria :  "August  6. — Went  to  Alexa  to  a  meeting 
of  the  Pot0  C° — Mr  Bur :  Bassett  came  home  with  me." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  AUGUST  10. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  Little  did  I  think  when  my  Vala- 
dictory  address  was  presented  to  the  people  of  the  United 
States  that  any  event  would  occur  in  my  day  that  could 
draw  me  from  the  peaceful  walks  and  tranquil  shades  of 
Mount  Vernon :  where  I  had  fondly  hoped  to  spend  the 
remnant  of  a  life,  worn  down  with  public  cares,  in  rumi 
nating  upon  the  variegated  scenes  through  which  I  have 
passed  and  in  the  contemplation  of  others  which  are  yet  in 
embrio.  I  will  hope  however  that  when  the  Despots  of 

*  "  In  the  account  of  the  presentment  of  a  flag  by  Mrs.  Washington,  to 
the  Silver  Grays,  published  a  few  days  since  under  the  Alexandria  head,  in 
our  paper,  there  was  an  error.  Among  other  emblems,  the  flag  contained 
a  strong  likeness  of  President  Adams,  and  not  of  General  Washington,  as 
there  stated." — Ciaypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser,  November  14. 


1798]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  367 

France  find  how  much  they  have  mistaken  the  American 
character,  and  how  much  they  have  been  deceived  by  their 
partizans  among  us,  that  their  senses  will  return  to  them 
and  an  appeal  to  arms  for  the  purpose  of  repeling  an  Inva 
sion  at  least  will  be  rendered  unnecessary." — Washington  to 
William  Vans  Murray. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  20. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "August  20. — No  ace*  kept  of  the 
weather  &ca  from  hence  to  the  end  of  the  Month — on  ace* 
of  my  Sickness  which  commenced  with  a  fever  on  the  19th 
&  lasted  until  the  24th  which  left  me  debilitated."—  Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

"September  3. — My  last  to  you  was  dated  the  20th  of  August;  two  days 
previous  to  which  I  had  been  seized  with  a  fever,  which  I  endeavoured  to 
shake  off  by  pursuing  my  usual  rides  and  occupations  ;  but  it  continued  to 
increase  upon  me ;  when  on  the  21st  at  night  Dr.  Craik  was  called  in,  who  it 
seems  chose  to  have  assistance,  and  on  the  24th  procured  such  a  remission  as 
to  admit  bark.  Since  which  I  have  been  in  a  convalescent  state,  but  too 
much  debilitated  to  be  permitted  to  attend  much  to  business." — Washington 
to  James  McHenry. 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBEE  3. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  September  3. — In  the  Morning  to 
breakfast  came  Gen1  [John]  Marshall  &  Mr  Bushrod  Wash 
ington — and  to  dinner  the  Aty  Gen1  Cha"  Lee  Mr  Herbert 
Mr  Keith  &  Doc  Craik." —  Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  September  5. — Gen1  Marshall  &  Mr 
B.  Washington  went  to  a  dinner  in  Alex*  given  to  the 
former  by  the  Citizens  there  &  returned.  September  6. — 
Mr  Marshall  &  Mr  B.  Washington  went  away  before  break 
fast." —  Washington's  Diary. 

John  Marshall  (Chief-Justice  of  the  United  States,  1801-35)  was  appointed 
in  June,  1797,  an  envoy  to  France,  in  conjunction  with  Charles  Cotesworth 


368  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1798 

Pinckney  and  Elbridge  Gerry.  The  envoys  arrived  at  Paris  in  October, 
and  were  shortly  approached  by  secret  agents  (X.  Y.  Z.)  of  Talleyrand  with 
a  demand  for  money, — fifty  thousand  pounds  sterling  for  private  account 
and  a  loan  to  the  government.  These  suggestions  were  repelled  with  in 
dignation,  and  a  paper  prepared  by  Mr.  Marshall  was  sent  to  the  minister, 
which  set  forth  with  great  precision  and  force  of  argument  the  views  and 
requirements  of  the  United  States  and  their  earnest  desire  for  maintaining 
friendly  relations  with  France.  But  it  availed  nothing,  and  Pinckney  and 
Marshall,  who  were  Federalists,  were  ordered  to  leave  the  territory  of 
France,  while  Gerry,  as  a  Kepublican,  was  allowed  to  remain.  The  news 
of  these  events  was  received  in  this  country  with  the  deepest  indignation, 
and  when  Mr.  Marshall  returned  in  June,  1798,  he  was  everywhere  received 
with  marks  of  the  highest  respect  and  approval  for  the.  course  he  had  pur 
sued.  The  public  dinner  given  to  him  at  Alexandria,  noted  in  the  Diary, 
was  one  of  other  demonstrations  of  a  like  character,  that  given  at  Philadel  • 
phia  on  June  23  being  noteworthy  in  consequence  of  the  introduction  of 
Mr.  Pinckney's  celebrated  sentiment,  "  Millions  for  defence,  but  not  a  cent 
for  tribute,"  as  one  of  the  toasts. 

THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  20. 

At  Washington  City :  "  September  20. — Went  up  to  the 
Federal  City— Dined  &  lodged  at  Mr  Tho3  Peters.  Septem 
ber  21. — Examined  in  company  with  the  Com18  some  of  the 
Lots  in  the  Vicinity  of  the  Capital  &  fixed  upon  N°  16  in 
634  to  build  on.  Dined  &  lodged  at  Mr  Laws.  September 
22. — Came  home  with  Mr  T.  Peter  wife  &  2  children  to 
Dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBEE  30. 

At  Alexandria:  "September  30. — Went  to  Church  in 
AlexV —  Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  OCTOBER  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  5. — Doctr  Thornton — Mr 
Law  and  a  Mr  Baldo  a  Spanish  Gentleman  from  the  Ha- 
vanna  came  to  Dinner.  October  6. — Mr  Bushrod  Washing 
ton  &  Captn  Blackburn  came  to  dinner  &  Mr  Tho8  Peter 
returned  in  the  afternoon  from  New  Kent.  October  7. — 
Mr  B.  Washington  &  Captn  Blackburn  went  away  after 
Breakf*." —  Washington's  Diary. 


1798]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  369 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  9. 

At  Washington  City :  "  October  9th  10  and  eleventh  absent 
— in  the  Federal  City." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  13. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  13. — Gen1  Lee,  Captn  Pres 
ley  Thornton  &  Mr  T.  Peters  came  to  dinner.  October  14. — 
Gen1  Lee  &  Captn  Thornton  went  away  after  breakfast  & 
Mr  Booker  came  at  Night." —  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  16. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  16. — The  Attorney  Gen1  of 
the  United  States  Lee  and  Lady  &  Mr  Wm  Craik  dined 
here  &  retd." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  18. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  My  opinion  always  has  been  (how 
ever  necessary  to  be  in  a  state  of  preparation)  that  no 
formidable  invasion  is  to  be  apprehended  from  France, 
while  Great  Britain  and  that  country  are  at  War;  not  from 
any  favorable  disposition  the  latter  has  towards  us,  but 
from  actual  inability  to  transport  Troops  and  the  Munitions 
of  War,  while  their  ports  are  blockaded.  That  they  would 
willingly,  and  perhaps  necessarily,  employ  their  forces  in 
such  an  enterprise  in  case  of  Peace  I  have  little  doubt,  un 
less  adverse  fortune  in  their  foreign  relations — a  Revolu 
tion  at  home — or  a  wonderful  change  of  sentiment  in  the 
governing  powers  of  their  country,  should  take  place." — 
Washington  to  Timothy  Pickering. 

SUNDAY,  OCTOBER  28. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  October  28.— The  Atty  Gen1  U.  S. 
Mr  Jn°  Hopkin  &  Mr  Ch8  T.  Mercer  dined  here  &  returned." 

—  Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  NOVEMBER  5. 

Leaves  Mount  Vernon :  "  November  5. — I  set  out  on  a 
journey  to  Phila  about  9  oclock  with  Mr  Lear  my  Sec- 

24 


370  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1798 

retary — was  met  at  the  Turnpike  by  a  party  of  horse  & 
escorted  to  the  Ferry  at  George  Town  where  I  wras  recd 
with  Military  honors  lodged  at  Mr  T.  Peters." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

"  Alexandria,  November  6. — Yesterday  about  11  o'clock,  arrived  in  town, 
on  his  way  to  the  seat  of  the  Federal  Government — his  excellency  Lieuten- 
ant-General  GEOKGE  WASHINGTON,  accompanied  by  his  Secretary 
Colonel  Lear.  He  was  met  at  West  End  and  escorted  into  town  by  Colonel 
Fitzgerald's  and  Captain  Young's  troops  of  cavalry,  and  the  company  of 
Alexandria  blues,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Piercey.  When  he 
alighted  at  Gadsby's  tavern,  the  blues  fired  a  continental  salute  of  16  rounds. 
The  troops  of  horse  escorted  the  General  to  the  ferry  at  George  Town  where 
the  George  Town  troop  were  in  waiting  to  pay  him  the  same  token  of  re 
spect. " — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser,  November  10. 

"  George  Town,  November  6.— Lieutenant  General  WASHINGTON  ar 
rived  on  the  Virginia  shore  of  the  Potomak,  yesterday,  about  1  o'clock ;  to 
which  place  he  was  escorted  by  a  party  of  horse  from  Alexandria.  Five 
gentlemen  of  George  Town,  in  uniform,  received  him  into  a  yawl  and  passed 
the  river  while  the  infantry  and  artillery  on  the  Maryland  side  by  several 
discharges,  honoured  their  illustrious  chief.  The  George  Town  troop  of 
horse  and  the  other  military  companies  then  escorted  him  into  the  city  of 
Washington,  and  after  firing  a  number  of  rounds,  they  and  the  whole  as 
semblage  of  spectators  retired.  This  morning  early  he  who  '  amidst  all 
plaudits  takes  command'  resumed  his  journey,  attended  by  the  horse. 

"The  warriors  of  Homer  were  aided  by  the  Gods — oratory  and  poetry 
awoke  the  spirits  of  '  departed  heroes  ; '  and  perhaps  nothing  on  earth  more 
nearly  resembles  obtaining  the  aid  of  the  immortal  heroes  of  Elysium,  than 
when  a  WASHINGTON,  venerable  from  age,  from  experience  and  from 
former  services — surrounded  by  virtues  and  glory,  leaves  '  his  choice  re 
treat'  and  'blest  abode,'  for  the  cares  of  mortals  and  military  scenes." — 
Idem. 

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBEK  6. 

At  Spurrier's  Tavern :  "  November  6. — Breakfasted  at 
Bladensburgh — dined  &  lodged  at  Spurriers  Escorted  by 
horse." — Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBER  7. 

At  Baltimore  :  "  November  7. — Breakfasted  at  Baltimore 
— dined  at  Websters,  &  lodged  at  Hartford — Met  at  Spur 
riers  by  the  Baltimore  horse  &  escorted  in  and  out  by  the 


1798]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  371 

same — Viewed  a  Brigade  of  Militia  at  Bait*." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

"Baltimore,  November  7. — This  morning  arrived  in  town,  the  Chief  who 
unites  all  hearts.  He  left  Spurriers  pretty  early,  and  lighted  at  Bryden's 
about  8  o'clock,  escorted  in  by  Captains  Hollingsworth's  and  Bentalon's 
troops,  who  went  out  last  evening  for  that  purpose.  About  10,  the  5th  and 
27th  regiments  (as  many  as  from  the  shortness  of  the  notice  could  get 
ready)  had  the  gratification  of  being  reviewed  by  him  in  Market  street, 
much  to  the  satisfaction  of  a  large  concourse  of  spectators  who  thronged 
around  him,  again  to  behold  at  once  the  venerable  Cincinnatus  and  com 
mander  in  chief  of  America.  The  City  Company,  capt.  Harris,  waited  on 
the  general  at  his  quarters,  personally  to  congratulate  him  on  once  more 
seeing  him  among  them  in  health,  and  made  open  ranks  for  him  to  pass 
through  as  he  came  out  to  review  the  troops.  He  was  accompanied,  as  he 
marched  in  front  of  the  line,  by  generals  Smith  and  Swan ;  his  secretary, 
Mr.  Lear;  judge  Chase,  and  several  other  gentlemen.  About  11  he  pro 
ceeded  on  his  way  to  Trenton,  escorted  out  by  the  Fell's  Point  troop. 

"  The  object  of  the  commander  in  chief  in  going  to  Trenton,  is,  we  under 
stand,  to  attend  a  grand  council  of  the  executive  and  general  military  officers 
of  the  union.  The  president,  and  the  three  late  unsuccessful  ambassadors  to 
France,  we  also  learn,  are  to  be  present.* 

"  Americans  !  what  measure  of  gratitude  is  not  due  to  a  man,  loaded  with 
years  and  glory,  who  so  ardently  wished  to  terminate  his  days  in  the  peace 
ful  shades  of  Mount  Vernon,  again  coming  forth,  to  sustain  the  thought  of 
council  and  the  fatigue  of  war,  to  perpetuate  that  liberty  which  he  so  glori 
ously  achieved  for  his  country." — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser, 
November  10. 

THUKSDAY,  NOVEMBEK  8. 

At  Elkton,  Maryland :  "  November  8. — Breakfasted  at 
Susquehanna  escorted  by  the  Hartford  horse — dined  at 

*  Shortly  after  the  adjournment  of  Congress,  on  the  16th  of  July,  the 
public  offices  were  removed  to  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  in  consequence  of  the 
prevalence  of  yellow  fever  in  Philadelphia.  The  President  also  went  to 
Quincy,  Massachusetts,  and  did  not  return  to  the  city  until  November  23, 
having  been  detained  by  the  illness  of  Mrs.  Adams.  All  danger  from  the 
fever  was,  however,  over  by  the  end  of  October,  and  a  proclamation  to  that 
eifect  was  issued  by  the  city  authorities  on  the  first  day  of  November.  Wash 
ington,  therefore,  met  the  Secretary  of  War  and  Major-Generals  Hamilton 
and  Pinckney  at  Philadelphia  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for  the 
provisional  army. 


372  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1798 

Elkton   and  lodged   at   Christiana  brdgc." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"  November  9. — Breakfasted  in  Wilmington  &  dined  &  lodged  at  Chester 
— waits  at  the  latter  the  Keturn  of  an  Exps,  at  this  place  was  met  by  sev1 
Troops  of  Phila  horse." — Washington's  Diary. 

SATUEDAY,  NOVEMBEE  10. 

At  Philadelphia  :  "  November  10. — With  this  Escort  I  ar 
rived  in  the  City  about  9  oclock  &  was  recd  by  Gen1  M°Pher- 
sons  Blues  &  was  escorted  to  my  lodgings  in  8th  Street  (M™ 
"White's*)  by  them  &  the  Horse." — Washington's  Diary. 

"November  12.— Lieutenant  General  WASHINGTON  Commander  in 
Chief  of  the  Armies  of  the  United  States,  arrived  here  on  Saturday  morning 
last  [November  10],  escorted  by  the  different  troops  of  horse — and,  notwith 
standing  the  short  notice  which  had  been  given  the  [Macpherson]  Blues, 
almost  the  whole  of  that  corps,  with  an  alacrity  which  does  them  honor,  were 
drawn  up  on  the  commons, f  to  receive  their  beloved  General. 

"On  his  arrival,  the  cavalry  and  infantry  were  drawn  up,  and  the  Gen 
eral,  having  passed  in  review  down  their  front,  is  said  to  have  expressed  the 
highest  satisfaction  at  their  soldierly  and  elegant  appearance.  The  proces 
sion  then  moved  from  the  commons,  the  General  accompanied  by  his  sec 
retary  Mr.  Lear,  in  the  centre  of  the  cavalry.  On  his  arrival  at  his  lodgings 
in  Eighth-street,  he  was  saluted  by  the  acclamations  of  the  citizens  who  had 
collected  once  more  to  behold  their  Chief.  The  General  was  dressed  in  his 
uniform,  and  is  apparently  in  good  health  and  spirits." — Claypoole's  Ameri 
can  Daily  Advertiser. 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  11. 

At  Philadelphia:  "  November  11,  12,  &  13.— Dined  at  my 
Lodgings  receiving  many  Visits." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  November  14.  J — Dined  at  Majr  [William]  Jackson's  [187  South  Third 
Street].  November  15. — Dined  at  Mr  Tench  Francis's  [Market  between 

*  "  Eosannah  White,  widow,  boarding  house,  9  north  eighth  street  " — 
Philadelphia  Directory,  1798. 

f  The  vacant  ground  west  of  the  built-up  portion  of  the  city  was  known 
as  the  commons. 

|  "  November  14. — We  are  informed,  that  the  governor  as  commander  in 
chief  of  the  state  militia,  attended  by  the  officers  of  the  city  and  county 
brigades,  will  pay  their  respects  to  the  Commander  in  chief  of  the  armies  of 


1798]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  373 

Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Streets].  November  16. — Dined  at  the  Secret?  of  the 
Treas^  [Oliver  Wolcott,  Junior,  91  Spruce  Street].  November  17. — Dined 
at  Mr  [Thomas]  Willings  [100  South  Third  Street].  November  18.— Dined 
at  my  lodgings.  November  19. — Dined  at  Docf  Whites — Bishop  [of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  Pennsylvania,  89  Walnut  Street].  Novem 
ber  20. — Dined  at  the  Secretary  of  Wars  [James  McHenry,  113  South  Third 
Street].  November  21. — Dined  at  Majr  Reeds — Senator's  [Jacob  Read,  of 
South  Carolina,  corner  of  Eleventh  and  Chestnut  Streets].  November  22. 
— Dined  at  Mr  [William]  Binghams  [South  Third,  near  Spruce  Street]. 
November  23. — Dined  at  Mr  Sam1  Merediths  Treasurer  [of  the  United  States, 
171  Chestnut  Street].  November  24.— Dined  at  the  Secretary  of  States  [Tim 
othy  Pickering,  corner  of  Sixth  and  Arch  Streets].  November  25. — Dined  at 
my  Lodgings.  November  26. — Dined  at  the  Presidents  of  the  U :  States 
[190  High  Street].*  November  27. — Dined  in  a  family  with  Mr  [Robert] 
Morris.f  November  28. — Dined  with  Judge  [Richard]  Peters  [85  Walnut 
Street].  November  29. — Dined  with  the  British  Minister  [Robert  Liston. 
217  Arch  Street].  November  30.— Dined  with  the  Govr  of  the  State  Govr 
Mifflin  [250  High  Street].  December  1.— Dined  with  Mr  [William]  Rawle 
[260  High  Street].  December  2. — Dined  with  Bingham.  From  hence  until  my 
leaving  the  City  on  the  13  I  dined  at  my  lodgings." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  4. 

At  Philadelphia :  "  December  6. — Last  Tuesday  [Decem 
ber  4]  the  Potawatamy,  Chippawa,  and  Ottawa  Chiefs  paid 
their  respects  to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  to 
Lieutenant  General  Washington." — Clay  poolers  American 
Daily  Advertiser. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  8. 

At  Philadelphia :  Present  at  the  delivery  of  the  Presi 
dent's  address  to  both  Houses,  Third  Session,  Fifth  Con 
gress. 


the  United  States  at  10  o'clock  this  forenoon." — Claypoole's  American  Daily 
Advertiser. 

*  No.  190  High  or  Market  Street  was  the  house  occupied  by  Washington 
when  residing  in  Philadelphia. 

f  Robert  Morris  was  imprisoned  for  debt  February  16,  1798,  and  was  not 
released  until  August  26,  1801.  This  family  dinner  must  therefore  have 
taken  place  in  the  debtors'  apartment  of  the  Old  Walnut  Street  Prison  at 
Sixth  and  Walnut  Streets.  The  debtors'  apartment  was  situated  on  the 
north  side  of  Prune,  now  Locust  Street,  east  of  Sixth  Street.  The  buildings 
were  taken  down  in  1836. 


374  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1798 

"At  twelve  o'clock,  Lieutenant  General  Washington,  with  his  Secretary, 
Colonel  LEAR,  Major  Generals  [Charles  Cotesworth]  PINCKNEY  and  [Alex 
ander]  HAMILTON,  entered  the  Hall  [of  the  House  of  Representatives],  and 
took  their  places  on  the  right  of  the  SPEAKER'S  Chair.  The  British  and 
Portuguese  Ministers,  and  the  British  and  Danish  Consuls,  with  the  Secre 
taries,  had  their  places  assigned  them  on  the  left  of  the  Chair. 

"A  few  minutes  after  twelve,  the  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 
accompanied  by  his  Secretary,  and  the  Heads  of  the  several  Departments  of 
the  Government,  appeared.  The  PRESIDENT  having  taken  his  seat,  and  the 
officers  of  Government  theirs,  near  the  general  officers,  he  rose  and  ad 
dressed  the  two  Houses.' — Journal  of  Congress. 

FKIDAY,  DECEMBER  14. 

Leaves  Philadelphia :  "  December  14. — After  dinner  set 
out  on  my  journey  home — Reached  Chester." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

"December  15.— Yesterday  morning  Lieut.  Gen.  WASHINGTON  left 
this  city,  on  his  journey  to  Mount  Vernon,  Virginia.  The  General  was 
accompanied  by  his  Secretary,  Col.  Lear." — Claypoole's  American  Daily 
Advertiser. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  15. 

At  Elkton :  "December  15. — Breakfasted  at  Wilmington 
bated  at  Christiana — and  dined  and  lodged  at  Elkton." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

"December  16. — Set  out  after  a  very  early  breakfast; — and  was  detained 
at  Susquehanna  from  10  Oclock  until  the  next  morning — partly  by  Ice  and 
Winds — but  principally  by  the  Lowness  of  the  tides  occasioned  by  the  N° 
Westerly  Winds.  December  17. — Breakfasted  at  Barney's — bated  at  Hart 
ford — Dined  at  Webster's  and  Lodged  at  Baltimore." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  18. 

At  "Washington  City  :  "  December  18. — Breakfasted  at 
Spurriers — dined  at  Rhodes's — and  lodged  at  Mr  Laws  in 
the  Federal  City." — Washington's  Diary. 

"  We  had  an  invitation  to  dine  with  Doctor  Thornton  [at  Washington 
City]  :  and  the  Doctor  having  a  public  dinner  on  that  day,  I  got  introduced 
to  many  respectable  characters  ;  and  among  the  rest  to  Mr.  Law,  a  gentleman 
married  to  the  granddaughter  of  Mrs.  Washington.  Mr.  Law  is  an  English 
man,  and  brother  to  Lord  Ellenborough.  He  gave  Colonel  Lyles  and  myself 


1798]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  375 

an  invitation  to  go  to  sleep  at  his  house ;  but  we  were  prevented  by  General 
Washington  coming  to  sleep  there  that  night,  and  Colonel  Lear,  his  Sec 
retary.  I  had,  however,  the  gratification  to  be  introduced  to  the  General ; 
and  Colonel  Lyles  being  a  neighbour  and  a  particular  acquaintance  of  his,  a 
most  pleasing  evening  I  spent.  The  General  was  quite  sociable,  and  re 
ceived  me  very  kindly.  After  supper,  at  nine  o'clock  the  General  went  to 
bed,  as  that  was  his  hour ;  for  the  supper  in  most  houses  being  tea,  and  some 
broiled  fish,  sausages,  steaks,  &c.,  it  is  generally  introduced  between  six  and 
seven  o'clock,  which  was  done  that  evening.  Doctor  Thornton,  Colonel 
Lyles,  Mr.  Law,  and  myself,  sat  some  hours  after;  and  the  Colonel  and  I 
went  to  sleep  at  a  tavern  in  the  city,  which  was  kept  by  an  Englishman 
named  Tunnercliffe.  We  were  asked  the  next  morning  to  breakfast  at  Mr. 
Law's,  with  the  General ;  which  we  did :  and  the  General  gave  me  a  most 
kind  invitation  to  go  to  see  him  in  a  few  days.*  After  breakfast,  he  set  off 
in  his  carriage  for  Mount  Vernon." — RICHARD  PARKINSON,  T<mr  in  America 
in  1798,  etc.  London  :  1805.  Vol.  i.  p.  59. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  19. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  19. — Stopped  at  Doctr 
Thornton's  and  Mr  Peter's  &  dined  at  home." — Washing 
ton's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  DECEMBER  24. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  24. — Doctr  Craik  came  to 
D[inner]  &  Judge  Gushing  &  lady  in  the  Afternoon — as  did 
a  Mr  Dinsmoor  Agent  in  the  Cherokee  Country  on  his  way 
to  Philadelphia." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  We  reached  Mount  Vernon,"  wrote  the  wife  of  Judge  Gushing,  in  Feb 
ruary,  1799,  "the  evening  before  Christmas,  and  if  any  thing  could  have 
added  to  our  enjoyment,  it  was  the  arrival  of  General  and  Mrs.  Pinckney 
the  next  day,  while  we  were  dining.|  You  may  be  sure  it  was  a  joyful 

*  Mr.  Parkinson,  referring  to  the  visit  to  Mount  Vernon  made  in  conse 
quence  of  this  invitation  from  Washington,  says,  "I  dined  with  him;  and 
he  showed  me  several  presents  that  had  been  sent  him,  viz.  swords,  china, 
and  among  the  rest  the  key  of  the  Bastille.  I  spent  a  very  pleasant  day  in 
the  house,  as  the  weather  was  so  severe  that  there  were  no  farming  objects 
to  see,  the  ground  being  covered  with  snow.  The  General  wished  me  to  stay 
all  night ;  but  having  some  other  engagements,  I  declined  his  kind  offer." 

|  "  December  25. — Gen1  Pinckney  Lady  &  daughter  came  to  dinner." — 
Washington's  Diary. 


376  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1798 

meeting,  and  at  the  very  place  my  wishes  had  pointed  out.  To  be  in  the 
company  of  so  many  esteemed  friends,  to  hear  our  good  General  Washing 
ton  converse  upon  political  subjects  without  reserve,  and  to  hear  General 
and  Mrs.  Pinckney  relate  what  they  saw  and  heard  in  France,  was  truly  a 
feast  to  me.  Thus  the  moments  glided  away  for  two  days,  when  our  reason 
pointed  out  the  propriety  of  our  departing  and  improving  the  good  roads, 
as  the  snow  and  frost  had  made  them  better  than  they  are  in  summer." — 
Lossing's  Mount  Vernon,  p.  309. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  26. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "I  returned  a  few  days  ago  from 
Philadelphia,  whither  I  had  been  for  the  purpose  of  making 
military  arrangements  with  the  Secretary  of  War,  respect 
ing  the  force  which  is  about  to  be  raised." —  Washington  to 
William  Vans  Murray. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  27. — The  following  Gen 
tlemen  dined  here  the  27th  viz — Mess"  Wm  Fitzhugh — Wm 
Herbert  Potts— Wilson— Doctr  Craik  &  Son  Geo :  Wash 
ington  Craik,  Heath  &  Doctr  Greenhow  of  Richmond." — 
Washington's  Diary. 


1799- 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  16. 

At  Mount  Eagle :  "  January  20. — On  "Wednesday  last 
[January  16]  Mrs  Washington  &  myself  took  a  family  dinner 
at  Mount  Eagle  * — and  left  all  the  family  in  good  health  & 
Spirits  in  the  afternoon — Miss  Custis  was,  at  that  time,  with 
her  mother  [Mrs.  Stuart],  at  Hope  Park,  or  she  would  have 
accompanied  us  on  that  visit." —  Washington  to  Bryan  Fair 
fax. 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  23. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  Your  letter  of  the  10th  instant  I  re 
ceived  in  Alexandria,  on  Monday,  whither  I  went  to  be 
come  the  guardian  of  Nelly,  thereby  to  authorize  a  license 
for  your  nuptials  on  the  22d  of  next  month." —  Washington  to 
Lawrence  Lewis. 

SUNDAY,  FEBRUARY  10. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  February  10. — Wind  shifted  in  the 
Night  to  N.  W.  blew  fresh  &  turned  cold — Mer  at  30  in 
the  morning  &  34  at  Night — clear  all  day." — Washington's 
Diary. 

Washington's  custom  of  recording  the  state  of  the  weather  will  be  noticed 
in  nearly  all  of  his  diaries.  Indeed,  one  kept  at  Philadelphia  in  1796,  with 
the  exception  of  two  entries,  one  referring  to  receiving  the  national  colors  of 
France  from  M.  Adet  on  January  1,  and  the  other  to  George  Washington 
Craik  having  joined  him  as  private  secretary  on  April  12,  is  entirely  devoted 


*  Mount  Eagle,  on  the  old  road  from  Alexandria  to  Mount  Vernon,  was 
the  home  of  Bryan  Fairfax,  rector  of  Christ  Church,  Alexandria,  1790- 
1792,  and  afterward  Lord  Fairfax.  The  house  is  still  standing.  At  the 
date  of  the  above-quoted  letter  Mr.  Fairfax  was  in  England  on  a  visit. 

377 


378  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1799 

to  that  subject.  This  diary,  the  handwriting  of  which  is  peculiarly  neat  and 
distinct,  is  in  the  possession  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania.  It 
runs  from  January  1  to  June  21. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  11. 

At  Alexandria :  "  February  11. — "Went  up  to  Alexandria 
to  the  celebration  of  my  birth  day — Many  Manoeuvres  were 
performed  by  the  Uniform  Corps — and  an  elegant  Ball  & 
supper  at  Night.  February  12. — Return'd  home." —  Wash 
ington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  FEBRUARY  16. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  February  16. — Mr  and  M™  Peters 
came  to  dinner.  February  18. — Mrs  Stuart  and  her  3  daugh 
ters  came  here  in  the  afternoon." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  19. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  You  will  please  to  grant  a  license 
for  the  marriage  of  Eleanor  Parke  Custis  with  Lawrence 
Lewis,  and  this  shall  be  your  authority  for  so  doing." — 
Washington  to  Captain  George  Deneale,  Clerk  of  Fairfax 
County  Court. 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  21. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  February  21.— Mr  Chs  Carter  wife 
&  daughter  came  to  dinner — &  Mr  Rob'  Lewis  in  the  After 
noon." —  Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  February  22. — The  Revd  Mr  Davis 
&  Mr  Geo :  Calvert  came  to  dinner  &  Miss  Custis  was  mar 
ried  ab*  Candle  light  to  Mr  Law8  Lewis."—  Washington's 
Diary. 

"  An  event  occurred  on  the  twenty-second  of  February,  1799,  that,  while 
it  created  an  unusual  bustle  in  the  ancient  halls,  shed  a  bright  gleam  of 
sunshine  on  the  last  days  at  Mount  Vernon.  It  was  the  marriage  of  Major 
Lewis,  a  favorite  nephew,  with  the  adopted  daughter  of  the  chief.  It  was 
the  wish  of  the  young  bride  that  the  general  of  the  armies  of  the  United 


1799]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  379 

States  should  appear  in  the  splendidly  embroidered  uniform  (the  costume 
assigned  him  by  the  board  of  general  officers)  in  honor  of  the  bridal  ;  but 
alas,  even  the  idea  of  wearing  a  costume  bedizened  with  gold  embroidery, 
had  never  entered  the  mind  of  the  chief,  he  being  content  with  the  old  Con 
tinental  blue  and  buff,  while  the  magnificent  white  plumes  presented  to  him 
by  Major-General  Pinckney  he  gave  to  the  bride,  preferring  the  old  Conti 
nental  cocked  hat,  with  the  plain  black-ribbon  cockade,  a  type  of  the  brave 
old  days  of  '76." — GEORGE  WASHINGTON  PARKE  CUSTIS,  Recollections  of 
Washington. 

MONDAY,  FEBRUARY  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  February  25. — River  nearly  closed 
with  Ice. — Mr  L  :  Lee  M"  Lee  &  Miss  French — Mr  Herbert, 
Mr  Jn°  Herbert  &  Miss  Herbert.— Doctr  Craik  &  Mr  G.  W. 
Craik — Miss  Fitzhugh  Miss  Moly  Fitzhugh  &  Miss  Chew — 
&  Col°  Fitzgerald  dined  here  &  returned." — Washington's 
Diary. 

"February  26.— M™  Potts— M"  Fendall— Mr  And'  Ramsay  &  Wife— 
Mr  Wm  Ramsay — Mr  Edmd  Lee  &  Sister  Lucy — and  Mr  Hodgden  dined  here 
&  returned — and  Mr  Bushrod  Washington  came  in  the  afternoon.  February 
27. — Mr  Thomson  Mason  &  Wife  and  Mr  Nicholls  &  Wife  dined  here  &  re 
turned." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  3. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "March  3. — Mra  Stuart  &  her  3 
daughters  (Stuarts)  *  and  Mr  &  M™  Peters  went  away  after 
breakfast.  March  4. — Mr  &  Mra  Carter  went  away  after 
Breakfast.  March  6. — Mr  &  M™  Law  went  away  to  day." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  MARCH  31. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  Mr  Lewis  &  Nelly  Custis  fulfilled 
their  matrimonial  engagement  on  the  22d  of  February.  In 
consequence  the  former,  havg.  relinquished  the  lapp  of 
Mars  for  the  Sports  of  Venus,  has  declined  a  Military  ap 
pointment." —  Washington  to  Charles  Cotesivorth  Pinckney. 

*  By  her  second  marriage  Mrs.  Stuart  had  seven  children, — five  daughters 
and  two  sons. 


380  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1799 

WEDNESDAY,  APKIL  3. 

At  Four  Mile  Run :  *  "  April  3. — Went  up  to  four  mile 
Run  to  Run  round  my  land  there — Got  on  the  grd  about 
10  Oclock  and  in  Company  with  Capt"  Sterret  and  Mr  Luke 
commenced  the  Survey  on  4  mile  run  &  ran  agreeably  to 
the  Notes  taken — In  the  evening  went  to  Alexa  &  lodged 
my  self  at  Mr  Fitzhugh's." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  April  4. — Kecommenced  the  Survey  at  the  upper  end  where  we  left  off 
in  company  with  Col°  [Charles]  Little— Captn  Sterret  and  Mr  Willm  Adams 
— &  contd  it  agreeably  to  the  Notes  until  we  came  to  4  Mile  run  again  which 
employed  us  until  dark — Keturned  to  Alex*  and  again  lodged  at  Mr  Fitz- 
hughs.  April  5. — Keturned  home  to  Breakfast." — Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  APRIL  12. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "April  12.— Spread  Plaster  of  Paris 
this  Morning  on  the  circle  &  sides  before  the  door — &  on 
the  Lawn  to  the  Cross  Path  betwn  the  Garden  gates — &  on 
the  Clover  by  the  Stable." —  Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  APRIL  24. 

At  Alexandria:  "April  24. — "Went  up  to  Alex*  to  an 
Election  of  a  Representative  from  the  District  to  Congress 
&  from  the  County  to  the  State  Legisla8." — Washington's 
Diary. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  29. 

At  Four  Mile  Run  :  "  April  29. — Went  up  to  run  round 
my  land  on  4  Mile  run.  Lodged  at  Col°  Littles  [at  Alex 
andria].  April  30. — Engaged  on  the  same  business  as  yes 
terday  &  returned  home  in  the  afternoon." — Washington's 
Diary. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  14. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  May  14. — Majr  Wm  Harrison  came 
here  to  dinner.  May  15. — Mr  Thomson  Mason  came  here 

*  Four  Mile  Run  empties  into  the  Potomac  about  three  miles  above  Alex 
andria.  See  note  to  May  4,  1786. 


1799]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  381 

to  breakfast  and  attended  Majr  Harrison  &  me  on  the 
Survey  of  the  latters  land  &  both  dined  here,  as  did  a  Mr 
Season." —  Washington's  Diary. 

John  Searson,  whose  visit  to  Mount  Vernon  is  noted  in  the  Diary  under 
the  name  of  Season,  was  the  author  of  a  disjointed  composition  (the  result 
of  this  visit)  entitled  "MOUNT  VERNON,  A  POEM:  Being  the  seat 
of  his  excellency  George  Washington,  in  the  STATE  OF  VIRGINIA  ; 
Lieutenant-general  and  commander  in  chief  of  the  land  forces  of  the  United 
States  of  America.  This  rural,  romantic  and  descriptive  Poem  of  the  seat 
of  so  great  a  character,  it  is  hoped  may  please,  with  a  copper-plate  likeness 
of  the  General.  It  was  taken  from  an  actual  view  on  the  spot  hy  the 
author,  15th  May,  1799.  BY  JOHN  SEARSON,  formerly  of  Philadel 
phia,  merchant."  This  remarkable  attempt  at  verse  was  published  at  Phil 
adelphia  in  September  of  the  same  year. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  16. 

At  Alexandria :  "  May  16. — "Went  up  to  Alexandria  to 
the  Purse  Race,  &  returned  in  the  Evening  Mr  Law  & 
Doetr  Thornton  here." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  23. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  May  23.— Mr  Tho8  Adams  third 
son  to  the  President  &  Mr  Joshua  Johnson,  Lady  &  son 
came  to  dinr." —  Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  MAY  31. 

At  Washington  City :  "  May  31.— Went  up  to  the  Fed1 
City — dined  &  lodged  with  Mr  Peter.  June  1. — Dined  & 
lodged  at  Mr  Laws.  June  2. — Returned  home  to  dinner — 
taks  Church  at  Alex*  in  my  way." — Washington's  Diary. 

Edward  C.  McGuire,  on  page  154  of  his  work  entitled  "  The  Religious 
Opinions  and  Character  of  Washington,"  *  quotes  the  following  narrative 
"from  a  valued  female  friend,  now  numbered  with  the  dead,"  which  evi 
dently  refers  to  Washington's  attendance  at  Christ  Church,  Alexandria,  on 
Sunday,  June  2,  recorded  in  the  Diary.  "  In  the  summer  of  1799,"  said  Mrs. 
M.,  "  I  was  in  Alexandria,  on  a  visit  to  the  family  of  Mr.  H.,  with  whom  I  was 
connected  by  the  ties  of  relationship.  Whilst  there,  I  expressed  a  wish  to 

*  Published  at  New  York  in  1836. 


382  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1799 

see  General  Washington,  as  I  had  never  enjoyed  that  pleasure.  My  friend 
Mrs.  H.  observed,  '  You  will  certainly  see  him  on  Sunday,  as  he  is  never 
absent  from  church  when  he  can  get  there ;  and  as  he  often  dines  with  us, 
we  will  ask  him  on  that  day,  when  you  will  have  a  better  opportunity  of 
seeing  him.'  Accordingly,  we  all  repaired  to  church  on  Sunday,  and  seated 
in  Mr.  H's  large  double  pew,  I  kept  my  eyes  upon  the  door,  looking  for  the 
venerable  form  of  him  I  had  so  long  desired  to  see.  Many  persons  entered 
the  doors,  but  none  came  up  to  my  impressions  of  General  Washington's 
appearance.  At  length,  a  person  of  noble  and  majestic  figure  entered,  and 
the  conviction  was  instantaneous  that  I  beheld  the  Father  of  his  Country. 
It  was  so !— my  friend  at  that  moment  intimated  the  fact  to  me.  He  walked 
to  his  pew,  at  the  upper  part  of  the  church,  and  demeaned  himself  through 
out  the  services  of  the  day  with  that  gravity  and  propriety  becoming  the 
place  and  his  own  high  character.  After  the  services  were  concluded  we 
waited  for  him  at  the  door,  for  his  pew  being  near  the  pulpit  he  was  among 
the  last  that  came  out — when  Mrs.  H.  invited  him  to  dine  with  us.  He 
declined,  however,  the  invitation,  observing,  as  he  looked  at  the  sky,  that  he 
thought  there  were  appearances  of  a  thunder-storm  in  the  afternoon,  and  he 
believed  he  would  return  home  to  dinner. ' ' 

THUKSDAY,  JUNE  20. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  June  20. — The  following  company 
dined  here— Chief-Justice  of  the  IT.  S.  Ellsworth,  Mr  &  Mrs 
Steer  Sen1— Mr  &  M™  Steer  Junr  Mr  Van  Havre— Mr  &  Mrs 
Ludwell  Lee — Mrs  Corbin  Washington  Mr  &  Mr8  Hodgson 
&  Miss  Cor  Lee  Mr  &  Mrs  Geo.  Calvert  and  a  Capt,n  Ham 
ilton  &  Lady  from  the  Bahama  Islands." — Washington's 
Diary. 

TUESDAY,  JUNE  25. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  Your  favor  of  the  18th  of  Septem 
ber  last,  with  the  small  box  containing  four  pairs  of  prints, 
came  safe  to  hand,  but  long  after  the  date  of  the  letter." — 
Washington  to  John  Trumbull. 

In  April,  1790,  Washington  subscribed  to  four  sets  of  engravings  after 
Trumbull's  pictures,  "The  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill"  and  "The  Death  of 
General  Montgomery."  They  were  published  in  London,  the  former  exe 
cuted  by  J.  G.  Miiller,  of  Stutgard,  Germany,  and  the  latter  by  J.  F. 
Clemens,  of  Copenhagen,  Denmark.  These  are  the  four  pairs  of  prints 
referred  to  in  the  above  letter. 


1799]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  383 

THURSDAY,  JULY  4. 

At  Alexandria :  "  July  4. — Went  up  to  Alex*  and  dined 
with  a  number  of  the  Citizens  there,  in  celebration  of  the 
anniversary  of  the  declaration  of  american  Independ8  at 
Kemps  Tavern." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"Alexandria,  July  6. — The  23d  anniversary  of  the  American  Indepen 
dence  was  celebrated  in  this  town  with  the  greatest  harmony  and  decorum. 
The  military  commands  agreeably  to  orders  previously  given,  mustered  in 
the  court  bouse  square,  and  the  line  was  formed  in  Fairfax  street.  After 
going  through  the  manual,  which  was  performed  with  the  strictest  exacti 
tude,  Col.  John  Fitzgerald,  accompanied  by  John  Potts,  Esq.,  passed  the 
line  in  review,  and  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  their  military  and  elegant 
appearance.  The  battalion  then  marched,  by  sections,  up  King  street,  and 
formed  the  line  there  to  receive  their  beloved  Chief  General  GEORGE 
WASHINGTON.  On  his  passing  the  line  the  usual  military  honors  were 
paid ;  and  it  is  with  pleasure  I  remark,  that  the  Cincinnatus  of  America 
appeared  in  excellent  health  and  good  spirits. 

"  Lieutenant  General  Washington  dined  at  Col.  Kemp's  tavern,  with  a 
select  party  of  friends." — Claypoole's  American  Daily  Advertiser,  July  11. 

TUESDAY,  JULY  9. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  On  this  day  Washington  executed 
his  Last  Will  and  Testament,  consisting  of  twenty-nine 
pages  of  manuscript,  written  entirely  by  himself;  and  at 
the  bottom  of  each,  with  the  exception  of  page  twenty- 
three,  he  affixed  his  signature.  To  this  he  added  a 
schedule  with  descriptive  notes  of  the  property  included 
in  the  will,  which  was  directed  to  be  sold,  making  thirteen 
additional  pages. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  17. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  July  17. — Colonels  Powell  &  Simms 
and  Mr  Herbert — and  Judge  Washington  *  Captn  Black 
burn  &  Mr  H.  Turner  dined  here — the  three  first  went  away 
in  the  afternoon.  July  18. — Slow  rain  with  the  wind  at 
S°  E"  &  contd  until  I  went  to  bed  a  9  oclock.  .  .  .  Captn 

*  Bushrod  Washington  was  commissioned  an  Associate  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  December  20,  1798. 


384  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  [1799 

Blackburn  went  away  after  breakfast.  July  19. — Judge 
Washington  &  Mr  H.  Turner  left  this  after  dinner." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  5. 

At  George  Town :  "August  5. — Went  up  to  George  Town, 
to  a  general  meeting  of  the  Potomac  Company — dined  at 
the  Union  Tavern  &  lodged  at  Mr.  Laws.  August  6. — Re 
turned  home  to  dinner — found  Gen1  Wm  Washington*  of 
S°  Carolina  and  Son  here." — Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  AUGUST  7. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  August  7. — The  following  Gentle 
men  dined  here — viz.  Col°  Fitzgerald — Doctr  Craik  &  son 
— Mr  Wm  Craik— Mr  Herbert  &  Son  Jno  C.  Herbert— Col° 
Ramsay — Mr  Potts— Mr  Edmd  Lee — Mr  Keith — Lieut  Kean 
of  the  Marines — and  Mr  Ch"  Fenton  Mercer.  August  8. — 
Gener1  Washington  &  son  went  away  after  breakfast." — 
Washington's  Diary. 

SATUKDAY,  AUGUST  24. 

At  Mount  Vernon:  "August  24. — Mr  White  came  to 
dinner — as  did  4  Gentlemen  from  Phila  viz — Young  Mr 
Meredith  (son  of  the  Treasurer)  Mr  Clifton,  a  Mr  Walter 

&  the  4  last  returned  after  dinner." — Washington's 

Diary. 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBER  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  September  1. — Doctr  Craik  dined 
here — sent  for  to  M™  Washington  who  was  sick.  Septem 
ber  6. — Doctr  Craik  who  was  sent  for  in  the  night  to  Mrs 


*  Colonel  William  Washington,  a  distinguished  cavalry  officer  in  the 
Revolution,  was  appointed  a  brigadier-general  July  19,  1798.  He  was  born 
in  Stafford  County,  Virginia,  February  28,  1752,  and  was  a  descendant  of 
Lawrence  Washington  the  Immigrant.  General  William  Washington  died 
at  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  March  C,  1810. 


1799]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  385 

Washington    came    early    this    morning." — Washington's 
Diary. 

SATUKDAY,  SEPTEMBEK  7. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  September  7. — Mr  &  M™  Peter  and 
Gen1  Washington  came  in  the  afternoon.  September  8. — 
Gen1  Washington  went  away  after  breakfast — &  Mr  &  M" 
Law  came  to  dinner." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THUKSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  12. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  September  12. — Cap  :  Truxton 
[Thomas  Truxtun]  came  to  dinner." —  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  SEPTEMBER  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  The  death  of  near  relations  always 
produces  awful  and  affecting  emotions,  under  whatsoever 
circumstances  it  may  happen.  That  of  my  brother  [Charles] 
has  been  so  long  expected,  and  his  latter  days  so  uncom 
fortable  to  himself,  must  have  prepared  all  around  him  for 
the  stroke,  though  painful  in  the  effect. 

"  I  was  the  first,  and  am,  now,  the  last  of  my  father's 
children  by  the  second  marriage,  who  remain.  When  I 
shall  be  called  upon  to  follow  them  is  known  only  to  the 
Giver  of  Life.  When  the  summons  comes  I  shall  endeavor 
to  obey  it  with  a  good  grace." —  Washington  to  Colonel  Bur 
gess  Ball. 

FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  September  27. — Governor  Davie  on 
his  way  to  the  Northward  to  Embark  as  Envoy  to  France 
called,  dined  &  proceeded  on." —  Washington's  Diary. 

William  Richardson  Davie,  Governor  of  North  Carolina  in  1798,  was  ap 
pointed,  in  conjunction  with  Oliver  Ellsworth  and  William  Vans  Murray, 
Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Franco.  The  envoys 
reaching  Paris  in  March,  1800,  found  Napoleon  Bonaparte  at  the  head  of  the 
new  republic,  and  soon  concluded  a  satisfactory  adjustment  of  all  disputes ; 
the  result  of  which  was  the  convention  signed  September  30,  1800,  which 

25 


386  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1799 

included  a  recognition  from  France  of  the  rights  of  neutral  vessels,  and  an 
indemnity  for  depredations  on  American  commerce. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBEK  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  October  1. — Mra  Fairfax  sister  and 
daughter — and  Mra  Herbert  &  Mra  Nelson — Mr  Jn°  Herbert 
&  two  of  Mr"  [Warner]  Washington  of  F  airfields  Sons  dined 
here." —  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  OCTOBER  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  October  22. — Mr  Liston  (British 
Minister)  &  lady  came  to  dinner.  October  25.  Mr  and  M™ 
Liston  left  this  after  breakfast." — Washington's  Diary. 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  28. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "October  28. — Mr  Ridout  an  English 
Gentleman  and  his  Lady  dined  here  as  did  Mr  G.  W.  Craik 
— Mr  Lear  set  out  for  Harper's  Ferry  to  make  some  ar 
rangement  with  Col°  Parker  respecting  Cantoning  the 
Troops." —  Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  5. 

At  Difficult  Run,  Virginia :  "  November  5. — Set  out  on  a 
trip  to  Difficult  Run  to  view  some  Land  I  had  there  &  some 
belonging  to  Mr  Jn°  Gill  who  had  offered  it  to  me  in  dis 
charge  of  Rent  which  he  was  owing  me — Dined  at  Mr 
Nicholas  Fitzhughs  and  lodged  at  Mr  Corbin  Washingtons. 
November  6. — Set  out  from  thenwe  after  8  Oclk  being  de 
tained  by  sprinkling  Rain,  &  much  appearance  of  it  until 
that  hour — reached  Wiley's  Tavern  near  Difficult  Bridge 
to  Breakfast  and  then  proceeded  to  Survey  my  own  Land." 
—  Washington's  Diary. 

In  the  notes  to  the  schedule  of  property  directed  to  be  sold  by  his  execu 
tors,  the  land  on  Difficult  Run,  Loudoun  County  (three  hundred  acres),  is 
described  as  follows :  "It  lyes  on  the  great  Road  from  the  City  of  Wash 
ington,  Alexandria  and  George  Town  to  Leesburgh  &  Winchester,  at  Diffi- 


1799]  WASHINGTON  AFTER    THE  REVOLUTION.  387 

cult  bridge — nineteen  miles  from  Alexandria — less  from  the  City  &  George 
Town,  and  not  more  than  three  from  Matildaville  at  the  Great  Falls  of 
Potomac." 

THUKSDAY,  NOVEMBEE  7. 

At  Difficult  Run  :  "  November  7. — Finished  Surveying 
my  own  Tract  &  the  Land  belonging  to  Gill — returning,  as 
the  Night  before  to  Wiley's  Tavern.  November  8. — Morn 
ing  very  heavy  and  about  9  oclock  it  commenced  Raining 
which  it  continued  to  do  steadily  through  the  day — not 
withstanding  which  I  proceeded  to  ascertain  by  actual 
measurement  the  qualities  [?  quantities] — this  being  fin 
ished  betwn  12  &  1  oclock  I  returned  to  Wiley's  Tavern  & 
stayed  there  the  remainder  of  the  day." — Washington's 
Diary. 

SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  9. 

At  Washington  City :  "  November  9. — Morning  &  whole 
day  clear  warm  &  pleasant  set  out  a  little  after  8  oclock — 
viewed  my  building  in  the  Fed1  City — Dined  at  Mr  Laws — 
&  lodged  at  Mr  Tho8  Peter's.  November  10. — Returned 
home  about  noon." — Washington's  Diary. 

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  12. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  Mrs  Washington  and  myself  have 
been  honoured  by  your  polite  invitation  to  the  Assemblies 
at  Alexandria  this  winter,  and  thank  you  for  this  mark  of 
attention.  But,  alas  !  our  dancing  days  are  no  more.  We 
wish,  however,  all  those  who  have  relish  for  so  agreeable 
and  innocent  an  amusement  all  the  pleasures  the  season 
will  afford." — Washington  to  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Alexandria 
Assemblies. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  15. 

At  Mount  Eagle  :  "  November  15. — Rode  to  visit  Mr  now 
Lord  Fairfax  who  was  just  got  home  from  a  Trip  to  Eng 
land — retd  to  dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 


388  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1799 

SUNDAY,  NOVEMBER  17. 

At  Alexandria :  "  November  17. — Went  to  Church  in  Alex 
andria  &  dined  with  Mr  Fitzhugh." — Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBEK  22. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  22. — Col°  Carrington  *  & 
Lady  came  in  the  afternn. — November  23. — Col°  Carrington 
&  Lady  went  away  after  Breakfast." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"Mount  Vernon,  November  22. — We  arrived  at  this  venerable  mansion 
in  perfect  safety,  where  we  are  experiencing  every  mark  of  hospitality  and 
kindness  that  the  good  old  General's  continued  friendship  to  Colonel  Car 
rington  could  lead  us  to  expect.  His  reception  of  my  husband  was  that  of 
a  brother.  He  took  us  each  by  the  hand,  and,  with  a  warmth  of  expression 
not  to  be  described,  pressed  mine,  and  told  me  that  I  had  conferred  a  favor 
never  to  be  forgotten  in  bringing  his  old  friend  to  see  him  ;  then,  bidding  a 
servant  to  call  the  ladies,  entertained  us  most  facetiously  till  they  ap 
peared." — Mrs.  Edward  Carrington  to  Mrs.  George  Fisher. f 

WEDNESDAY,  NOVEMBEK  27. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  November  27. — Doctr  Craik  who 
was  sent  for  to  Mrs  Lewis  (&  who  was  delivered  of  a 
daughter  ab*  —  oclock  in  the  forenoon)  came  to  Breakfast 
&  stayed  dinner." —  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  28. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  November  28. — Col°  &  Mrs  Carring 
ton  came  to  Dinner.  November  30. — Col°  &  Mrs  Carrington 
went  away  after  BV — Washington's  Diary. 

"  Mount  Vernon. — After  visiting  my  numerous  friends,  we  returned  to 
this  revered  mansion.  .  .  .  Everything  within  doors  is  neat  and  elegant, 
but  nothing  remarkable,  except  the  paintings  of  different  artists  which  have 
been  sent  as  specimens  of  their  talents.  I  think  there  are  five  portraits  of 

*  Colonel  Edward  Carrington,  a  Virginian  by  birth  (February  11,  1749), 
was  Quartermaster-General  under  General  Greene  in  the  Revolution.  He 
commanded  the  artillery  and  did  good  service  at  the  battle  of  Hobkirk's 
Hill,  April  24,  1781,  and  also  at  Yorktown.  He  was  a  member  of  Con 
gress  1785-86,  and  was  foreman  of  the  jury  in  Burr's  trial  for  treason  in 
1807.  Colonel  Carrington  died  at  Richmond,  Virginia,  October  28,  1810. 

f  Anne  Ambler,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Carrington. 


1799]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  389 

the  General,  some  done  in  Europe  and  some  done  in  America,  that  do  honor 
to  the  painters.  There  are  other  specimens  of  the  fine  arts  from  various 
parts  of  the  world,  that  are  admirably  executed  and  furnish  pleasant  con 
versation.  Besides  these,  there  is  a  complete  greenhouse,  which  at  this 
season  is  a  vast,  a  great  source  of  pleasure.  Plants  from  every  part  of  the 
world  seem  to  flourish  in  this  neatly  finished  apartment,  and  from  the 
arrangement  of  the  whole  I  conclude  that  it  is  managed  by  a  skillful  hand, 
but  whose  I  cannot  tell :  neither  the  General  nor  Mrs.  Washington  seem 
more  interested  in  it  than  their  visitors.  We  have  met  with  no  company 
here,  but  am  told  that  scarcely  a  week  passes  without  some,  and  often  more 
than  is  agreeable  or  convenient.  Transient  persons,  who  call  from  curi 
osity,  are  treated  with  civility,  but  never  interfere  with  the  order  of  the 
house,  or  with  the  General's  disposition  of  time,  which  is  as  regular  as  when 
at  the  head  of  the  army  or  in  the  President's  chair.  Even  friends  who 
make  a  point  of  visiting  him  are  left  much  to  themselves ;  indeed,  scarcely 
see  him  from  breakfast  to  dinner,  unless  he  engages  them  in  a  ride,  which 
is  very  agreeable  to  him.  But  from  dinner  to  tea  our  time  is  most  charm 
ingly  spent;  indeed,  one  evening  the  General  was  so  fascinating,  and  drew 
my  husband  out  into  so  many  old  stories  relating  to  several  campaigns 
where  they  had  been  much  together,  and  had  so  many  inquiries  to  make 
respecting  their  mutual  friends,  particularly  Kosciusko  and  Pulaski,  who 
have  always  corresponded  with  Colonel  Carrington,  whose  characters  afford 
great  interest,  that  it  was  long  past  twelve  when  we  separated.  At  break 
fast  I  feel  quite  at  home,  everything  is  so  plain." — Mrs.  Carrington  to  Mrs. 
Fisher. 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBEK  1. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  1. — Morning  clear  &  but 
little  Wd — that  Southerly — Mer  26 — Lowering  towards 
evening — Mer  36. — Mr  Foot  dined  here." — Washington's 
Diary. 

MONDAY,  DECEMBEE  2. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  December  2. — Rained  in  the  Night — 
Morning  heavy — Wind  Southerly — and  Mer  at  36. — after 
noon  calm  &  less  clouded — Mer  38 — Lord  Fairfax,  Lady, 
Daughter  &  Miss  Bennison  dined  here." — Washington's 
Diary. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  3. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  3. — Morning  extremely 
foggy — Mer  at  38  and  wind  what  there  was  of  it  Southerly 


390  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1799 

— Ab*  2  oclock  the  fog  dispelled  and  it  became  extremely 
pleasant — Mrs  Stuart  &  daughters  went  away  after  break 
fast."  * —  Washington's  Diary. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  4. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  December  4. — Morning  clear — Wind 
at  N°  W*  and  Mer  at  36 — From  10  oclock  until  2  very  like 
for  Snow — it  then  cleared  &  became  mild  &  pleasant  Mer 
38  at  N  :" —  Washington's  Diary. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  5. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  December  5. — Morning  raining,  and 
it  continued  to  do  so  moderately  through  the  day  with  the 
Wind  at  S°  E*— Mer  38  in  the  Morning  &  36  at  Night."— 
Washington's  Diary. 

FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  6. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  December  6. — Morning  heavy,  with 
appearances  of  clearing  now  &  then,  but  about  2  o'clock  it 
set  in  to  raining — Mer  34  in  the  Morning  &  37  at  Night." 

—  Washington's  Diary. 

SATURDAY,  DECEMBER  7. 

At  Mount  Eagle :  "  December  7. — Rainy  Morning,  with 
the  wind  at  N°  Ee  &  Mer  at  37 — afternoon  clear  &  pleasant 
wind  westerly — Mer  41  at  Night— dined  at  Lord  Fairfax's." 

—  Washington's  Diary. 

SUNDAY,  DECEMBER  8. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  8. — Morning  perfectly 
clear,  calm  and  pleasant;  but  about  9  o'clock  the  wind 
came  from  the  N°  W*  and  blew  fresh.  Mer  38  in  the  Morn 
ing — and  40  at  Night." — Washington's  Diary. 

*  "  November  21. — Mrs  Stuart  and  the  two  eldest  Miss  Stuarts  came  here 
to  dinner." — Washington's  Diary. 


1799]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  391 

MONDAY,  DECEMBER  9. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  9. — Morning  clear  & 
pleasant,  with  a  light  wind  from  N"°  "W*  Mer  at  33 — pleasant 
all  day — afternoon  Calm  Mer  39  at  Night — Mr  Howell 
Lewis  &  wife  set  oft'  on  their  return  home  after  breakfast — 
and  Mr  Law8  Lewis  and  Washington  Custis  on  a  journy  to 
N"  :  Kent." — Washington's  Diary. 

James  K.  Paulding,  in  his  "  Life  of  Washington"*  (vol. ii.p.  195),  gives 
a  statement  made  to  him  personally  by  one  of  the  favorite  nephews  of  "Wash 
ington,  describing  his  last  parting  with  the  General.  This  nephew  was 
doubtless  Howell  Lewis,  who,  by  the  above-quoted  entry  in  the  Diary,  left 
Mount  Vernon  on  December  9,  after  a  ten  days'  visit.  The  statement  is  as 
follows : 

"  During  this,  my  last  visit  to  the  general,  we  walked  together  about  the 
grounds,  and  talked  of  various  improvements  he  had  in  contemplation. 
The  lawn  was  to  be  extended  down  to  the  river  in  the  direction  of  the  old 
vault,  which  was  to  be  removed  on  account  of  the  inroads  made  by  the  roots 
of  the  trees,  with  which  it  is  crowned,  which  caused  it  to  leak.  '  I  intend 
to  place  it  there,'  said  he,  pointing  to  the  spot  where  the  new  vault  stands. 
'  First  of  all,  I  shall  make  this  change;  for  after  all,  I  may  require  it  before 
the  rest. ' 

"  When  I  parted  from  him.  he  stood  on  the  steps  of  the  front  door,  where 
he  took  leave  of  myself  and  another,  and  wished  us  a  pleasant  journey,  as 
I  was  going  to  Westmoreland  on  business.  It  was  a  bright  frosty  morning, 
he  had  taken  his  usual  ride,  and  the  clear  healthy  flush  on  his  cheek,  and 
his  sprightly  manner,  brought  the  remark  from  both  of  us  that  we  had 
never  seen  the  general  look  so  well.  I  have  sometimes  thought  him  de 
cidedly  the  handsomest  man  I  ever  saw ;  and  when  in  lively  mood,  so  full 
of  pleasantry,  so  agreeable  to  all  with  whom  he  associated,  that  I  could 
hardly  realize  that  he  was  the  same  Washington  whose  dignity  awed  all 
who  approached  him. 

"  A  few  days  afterwards,  being  on  my  way  home  in  company  with  others, 
while  we  were  conversing  about  Washington,  I  saw  a  servant  rapidly  riding 
towards  us.  On  his  near  approach,  I  recognised  him  as  belonging  to  Mount 
Vernon.  He  rode  up — his  countenance  told  the  story — he  handed  me  a 
letter.  Washington  was  dead  !" 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  10. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  December  10. — Morning  clear  & 
calm — Mer  at  31  afternoon  lowering — Mer  at  42  and  wind 

*  Published  at  New  York  in  1835. 


392  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.          [1799 

brisk  from  the  Southward — A  very  large  hoar  frost  this 
Morn8." —  Washington's  Diary. 

On  this  day  (December  10)  Washington  completed  a  plan  or  system, 
which  had  been  under  consideration  for  some  time,  for  the  management  and 
cultivation  of  the  Mount  Vernon  farms  for  several  successive  years.  In 
this  paper,  which  occupies  thirty  closely  written  folio  pages,  the  most  minute 
and  detailed  instructions  are  given  as  to  the  cultivation  of  the  land,  with 
tables  designating  the  rotations  of  the  crops.  This  was  accompanied  by  a 
letter  of  the  same  date  to  James  Anderson,  his  manager,  with  a  request  that 
the  instructions  be  "most  strictly  and  pointedly  attended  to  and  executed, 
as  far  as  the  measures  required  will  admit." 

As  an  example  of  his  remarkable  powers  of  application  and  life-long 
attention  to  detail,  and  also  as  showing  the  soundness  and  vigor  of  his 
intellect  at  this  period  of  his  life,  the  document  possesses  considerable  in 
terest. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  11. 

At  Mount  Vernon :  "  December  11. — But  little  wind  and 
Raining — Mer  44  in  the  Morning  and  38  at  Night. — About 
9  oclock  the  Wind  shifted  to  N°  W*  &  it  ceased  raining  but 
contd  Cloudy.— Lord  Fairfax,  his  Son  Tho3  and  daughter — 
MrB  Warner  Washington  &  son  Whiting — and  Mr  Jn°  Her 
bert  dined  here  &  returned  after  dinner." — Washington's 
Diary. 

THURSDAY,  DECEMBER  12. 

At  Mount  Yernon  :  "  December  12. — Morning  Cloudy — 
Wind  at  N°  E'  &  Mer  33— a  large  circle  round  the  Moon 
last  Night. — about  1  o'clock  it  began  to  snow — soon  after 
to  Hail  and  then  turned  to  a  settled  cold  Rain — Mer  28  at 

Night." —  Washington's  Diary. 

"  On  Thursday,  December  12,  the  General  rode  out  to  his  farms  about  ten 
o'clock,  and  did  not  return  home  till  past  three.  Soon  after  he  went  out, 
the  weather  became  very  bad,  rain,  hail,  snow  falling  alternately,  with  a 
cold  wind.  When  he  came  in,  I  carried  some  letters  to  him  to  frank,  in 
tending  to  send  them  to  the  post-office  in  the  evening.  He  franked  the 
letters,  but  said  the  weather  was  too  bad  to  send  a  servant  to  the  office  that 
evening.  I  observed  to  him.  that  I  was  afraid  he  had  got  wet.  He  said, 
No,  his  great-coat  had  kept  him  dry.  But  his  neck  appeared  to  be  wet,  and 


1799]  WASHINGTON  AFTER   THE  REVOLUTION.  393 

the  snow  was  hanging  upon  his  hair.  He  came  to  dinner  (which  had  been 
waiting  for  him)  without  changing  his  dress.  In  the  evening  he  appeared 
as  well  as  usual." — TOBIAS  LEAK.  (Sparks,  vol  i.  p.  555.) 

FRIDAY,  DECEMBER  13. 

At  Mount  Vernon  :  "  December  13. — Morning  Snowing  & 
ab*  3  Inches  deep  *— Wind  at  N°  E'  &  Mer  at  30— cont8 
Snowing  till  1  oclock — and  ab*  4  it  became  perfectly  clear — 
wind  in  the  same  place  but  not  hard — Mer  28  at  Night." — 
Washington's  Diary. 


This,  the  final  entry  of  the  Diary  of  1799,  was  the  last 
piece  of  writing  executed  by  Washington.  On  the  follow 
ing  morning,  Saturday,  December  14,  between  two  and 
three  o'clock,  he  was  taken  seriously  ill  from  a  cold  in 
curred  on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  while  taking  his  usual 
ride,  and  died  that  night  of  quinsy,  between  ten  and  eleven 
o'clock. 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  Wednesday,  Decem 
ber  18,  1799,  all  that  was  mortal  of  George  Washington, 
soldier,  statesman,  and  patriot,  the  foremost  man  in  Ameri 
can  history,  was  deposited  with  Masonic  ceremonies  in  the 
family  vault  at  Mount  Vernon.  He  had  passed  from  the 
sight  of  man ;  but  his  fame,  so  long  as  virtue,  truth,  and 
sincerity  shall  be  guiding  principles,  will  increase  with  the 
gathering  years ! 

*  "A  heavy  fall  of  snow  took  place  on  Friday,  which  prevented  the 
General  from  riding  out  as  usual.  He  had  taken  cold,  undoubtedly  from 
being  so  much  exposed  the  day  before,  and  complained  of  a  sore  throat. 
He,  however,  went  out  in  the  afternoon  into  the  ground  between  the  house 
and  the  river  to  mark  some  trees,  which  were  to  be  cut  down  in  the  improve 
ment  of  that  spot." — TOBIAS  LEAR. 


INDEX. 


Abbot's  Tavern,  159 

Abert's  Tavern,  Alexandria,  347 

Abingdon,  the  Stuarts  reside  at,  359 

Adams,  Abigail,  children  of,  203 

Adams,  Charles,  attends  presidential 
levee,  203 

Adams,  Henry,  owns  Washington's  por 
trait  by  Savage,  178 

Adams,  John,  declared  Vice-President,  I 
120,  249;  dines  with  Washington,  144, 
174,  179,340,343;  visits  Fort  Wash 
ington,  187;  children  of,  203;  pre 
sents  address  to  Washington,  231 ;  ex 
tract  of  letters  from,  to  his  wife,  271, 
303,  304,  318,  319,  321,  322,  324,  334, 
345,  346;  takes  oath  of  office,  344; 
Washington  to,  accepting  the  appoint 
ment  of  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
army,  363,  364  ;  birthday  of,  celebrated, 
366;  visits  Quincy,  Mass,  371 

Adams,  Mrs.  John,  1-19,  161,  162;  Wash 
ington  calls  on,  172;  to  her  daughter, 
with  account  of  presidential  levee,  203 ; 
extract  of  letter  from,  206;  illness  of, 
371 

Adams,  John  Quincy,  203 ;  extract  from 
diary  of,  279,  280 ;  appointed  minister 
to  the  Netherlands,  279 

Adams,  Samuel  (Gov.),  153 

Adams,  Thomas,  381 

Adams,  Thomas  Boylston,  203 

Adams,  William,  380 

Adamu'  Mill,  28 

Adet,  Pierre  Auguste,  presented  to  Wash 
ington,  303;  gives  national  colors  of 
France  to  United  States,  317,  377 

Aimes,  see  Arnes 

Alexander,  Philip,  48 

Alexander,  Robert,  111 

Alexandria,  Washington  visits,  on  behalf 
of  a  charity  school,  47 ;  races  held  at, 
63;  ratification  of  the  Constitution 
celebrated  in,  105 ;  Washington  Lodge 
of,  in  possession  of  Washington's  por 
trait  by  Williams,  240;  inhabitants  of, 
celebrate  Fourth  of  July,  259,  361, 
383;  Masonic  Lodge  of,  gives  dinner  to 
Washington,  347  ;  celebration  of  Wash 
ington's  birthday  at,  356;  and  John 
Adams's  birthday,  366;  Mrs.  Washing 
ton  presents  "  colors"  to,  366 ;  public 


dinner  at,  in  honor  of  Chief-Justice 
Marshall,  368  ;  Washington  refuses  the 
invitation  to  join  the  assemblies  of, 
387 

Alison,  Archibald,  quoted,  333 

Allan, ,  214 

Allans, Col.,  214 

Alleghany  County,  Pa.,  opposition  to 
excise  laws  in,  243 

Allen,  231 

Allen,  Misses,  present  at  presidential 
levee,  203 

Alston,  Capt.  AVilliam,  215 

Alton,  John,  death  of,  46 

Ambler,  Anne,  388 

American  Philosophical  Society,  Wash 
ington  a  member  of,  in  1780,  207; 
eulogium  on  Dr.  Franklin  before  the, 
207;  attends  oration  delivered  over 
David  Rittenhouse,  335 

Ames,  Fisher,  131,  167,  181,  186;  is 
member  of  House  of  Representatives 
in  1790,  166;  speech  of,  in  favor  of 
Jay  Treaty,  323 

Anderson,  James,  336,  392 ;  Washington 
to,  331,  365 

Anderson's  Tavern,  30 

Andrew, ,  213 

Andrews,  Robert,  142 

Andriani,  Count,  visits  America,  208 

Annapolis,  Md.,  General  Assembly  of 
State  gives  a  ball  at,  to  Washington, 
20 

Anstey,  Mr.  ,  commissioner  from 

England,  visits  Mount  Vernon,  67 

Armistead,  Miss ,  362 

Armstrong,  Rev.  James  F.,  accompanies 
Washington  to  Princeton,  126 

Army,  Washington  appointed  Command 
er-in-Chief  of  the,  363 

Arnold,  Benedict,  near  Detroit,  185;  oc 
cupies  the  house  afterwards  owned  by 
Robert  Morris,  199 

Articles  of  Confederation,  Washington 
on,  57 

Asbury,  Francis,  visits  Mount  Vernon, 
31 

Ash,  John  B.,  178 

Ashby,  Capt.  John,  17 

Ashe,  Col.  John  B.,  invites  Washington 
to  dine  with  citizens  of  Halifax,  214 

395 


396 


INDEX. 


Bache,  ,  issues  pamphlet  in  opposi 
tion  to  Jay  Treaty,  304 

Bache,  Mrs.  Richard,  87 

Bailey,  Francis,  170 

Baird,  John,  229 

Baker,  Dr.  — • — ,  mentioned,  46 

Baldo, ,  368 

Baldwin,  Abraham,  167,  176 

Ball,  68 

Ball,  Col.  Burgess,  Washington  to,  on 
fever  at  Philadelphia,  267;  and  on 
death  of  his  brother,  385 

Ball,  Joseph,  340 

Ball,  Moses,  28 

Balls,  Widow ,  92 

Bait imore,  celebration  at,  of  the  adoption 
of  the  Constitution,  104;  Washington 
passes  through  in  1789,  112,  123 

Bank,  National,  Congress  establishes,  208 

Bard,  Dr.  Samuel,  physician  to  Washing 
ton,  140 

Barge,  Mr. ,  84,  256 

Barney, ,  374 

Barney,  Capt.  Joshua,  presents  ship 
"  Federalist"  to  Washington,  104 ; 
mentioned,  105 

Barr, ,  220 

Barre, ,  180 

Bartratn,  John  William,  Washington 
visits  botanical  garden  of,  79,  88 ; 
mentioned,  246 

Bassett,  Col.  Burwell,  32,33, 39,  366  ;  visits 
Mount  Vernon,  23 ;  his  connection  with 
the  Washington  family,  23 

Bassett,  Fanny,  23,  34,  38,  39,  44 ;  mar 
riage  of,  40 

Bassett,  Richard,  144,  169,  174 

Bastile,  key  of,  presented  to  Washington, 
189,  229 

Battery,  the  New  York,  frequented  by 
Washington,  166,  174,  179 

Bauman,  Col.  Sebastian,  141,  146 ;  regi 
ment  of,  reviewed  by  Washington,  189; 
the  fireworks  at  the  inauguration  of 
Washington  directed  by,  132 

Bayard,  Miss ,  138 

Baylor,  John,  29 
Beach,  Dr.  Abraham,  142 
Beach,  Theophylact,  130 
Beall's  Mill,  34 

Beatty,  John,  Speaker  of  House  of  As 
sembly,  visits  Washington,  163 
Beckley,  John,  of  Virginia,  clerk  of  House 
of  Representatives,  dines  with  Wash 
ington,  165;  mentioned,  176,  344 
Bedford,  Judge  Gunning,  175 
Bee,  Judge,  217 
Belmont,  in  Fairmount  Park,  residence  of 

Judge  Peters,  76,  85,  88,  244 
"  Belvoir,"  residence  of  George  William 
Fairfax,  24 ;  ruins  of,  93 ;  mentioned, 
358 


Benson,  Egbert,  128,  131,  164,  175,  181, 
184 

Bentalon, ,  371 

Bicker,  Maj. ,  131 

Biddle,  Charles,  his  opinion  of  Washing 
ton,  89 

Biddle,  Clement,  Tobias  Lear  to,  on  the 
indisposition  of  Washington,  140;  ex 
tract  of  letter  to,  194 
Binghain,  Hon.  William,  75,  80,  82,  83, 
85,  87,  89,  100,  228,  373;  congratulates 
Washington  on  his  sixty-fourth  birth 
day,  298 

Binghain,   Mrs.  William,  request   of,    to 
Washington  to  sit  for  portrait,  324,  325  ; 
present  at  presidential  levee,  203 
Bishop,  Thomas,  death  of  wife  of,  servant 

of  Washington,  46 
Bishop's  History  quoted,  338 

Blackburn,  Capt. ,  368,  383,  384 

Blackburn,  Col.  Thomas,  22,  104;  candi 
date  for  presidential  elector,  116 
Blackwell,  Dr.  Robert,  311 

Blair,    Hon.    Judge   ,    accompanies 

Washington  on  visit  to  Rhode  Island, 
191;  to  Providence,  192 
Blair,  John,  91,  92,  171 

Blanchard, ,  the  aeronaut,  248 

Bland,  Col.  Theodoric,  60,  128,  147,  171, 
172,  181 

Blidenberg, ,  180 

Bond,  Phineas,  306,  350 

Booker, ,  369 

Boston,  Washington  at,  in  1789, 153 ;  citi 
zens  of,  denounce  the  Jay  Treaty,  305 
Boude,  Thomas,  340 
Boudinot,  Elias,  128,  168,  173,  178,  184 
Bowdoin,  James,  155 

Bowen,  Mr. ,  exhibits  wax- works,  146 

Bowie, ,  proposes  to  write  a  memoir 

of  Washington,  7 

Boyd, ,  237 

Boyd,  Robert ,  131 

Bradbury,  Theophilus,  to    Mrs.  Thomas 
Hooper,  315 

Bradford,   (insurgent),   escapes    to 

Spain's  territory,  290 
Bradford,  Jr.,  William,  acts  as  escort  to 
Washington  through   Philadelphia   in 
1789, 124 ;  appointed  Attorney-General, 
272;  mentioned,  279,  312 
Brant,  Joseph,  induced  to  visit  Philadel 
phia,  238,  239  ;  visits  Washington,  340 

Breck, ,  158 

Breck,  Samuel,  extract  from  writings  of, 

244,  245,  351 

Brehan,  Marchioness  de,  at  Mount  Ver 
non,  110,  111;  mentioned,  138,  149. 
150;  completes  miniature  profile  of 
Washington,  147;  sends  Washington 
copy  of  his  profile,  198,  199 
Brewster,  Col. ,  tavern  of,  157 


INDEX. 


397 


Brisbane,  William,  142 

Brooks,  Gen.  John,  153 

Broome,  John,  130 

Brown,  Miss ,  147,  163 

Brown,  Mrs.  ,  dines  with  Washing 
ton,  165 

Brown,  Anne,  is  entertained  by  Mrs. 
Washington,  166 

Brown,  Jeremiah,  340 

Browne,  John,  178,  184 

Browne  and  Francis,  owners  of  packet 
Indiaman,  192 

Bryden, ,  371 

Buchan,  Earl  of,  presents  Washington 
with  "  Wallace  Box,"  232 

Buckminster,  Rev.  Joseph,  157 

Bulkly,  227 

Bull,  Thomas,  340 

Surges,  Sir  James  Bland,  extract  of  letter 
to,  235,  238,  253 

Burke,  Edanus,  167,  176 

Burr,  Aaron,  mention  of  trial  of,  388 

Burt,  Charles,  199 

Hush  Hill,  residence  of  William  Hamil 
ton  in  1787,  78,  87 

Butler,  68 

Butler,  Maj.  Pierce  (Senator  from 
South  Carolina),  135,  161,  170,  174, 
179,  184;  Washington  sends  theatre 
tickets  to,  162;  welcomes  Washington 
to  Charleston,  216,  217;  accompanies 
Washington  to  Savannah,  217 

Butler,  Gen.  Richard,  death  of,  231 

Butler,  William,  14 

Cadwalader,  Lambert,  169,  178, 184 

Cadwallader,  Miss ,  78 

Cadwallader,  Gen.  John,  visits  Mount 
Vernon,  30 

Calvert,  George,  108,  117,  378,  382 

Campbell,  James,  83 

Canal  navigation,  Washington  on,  21, 
22 

Canon,  Col.  John,  of  Canonsburg,  enter 
tains  Washington,  15 

Caraman,  Chevalier ,  19 

Carey,  Henry,  301 

Carle,  Capt. ,  acts  as  escort  to  Wash 
ington  through  Trenton,  1789,  125, 
127 

Carlyle,  Col. ,  56 

Carpenter,  Abraham,  340 

Carpenter's  Hall,  meeting  of  the  Agricul 
tural  Society  at,  82 

Carrington,  Col.  Edward,  99,  388 

Carrington,  Mrs.  Edward,  to  Mrs.  George 
Fisher,  388,  389 

Carroll,  Charles,  128,  131,  177,  181,  357; 
presents  address  to  Washington  from 
Roman  Catholics,  175 

Carroll,  Jr.,  Charles,  notice  of  marriage 
of,  to  Harriet  Chew,  357 


Carroll,  Daniel,  210;  presents  address 
from  Roman  Catholics  to  Washington, 
175;  commissioner  ior  the  Capitol  at 
Washington,  264 

Carrolltburg,  210 

Carter,  356 

Carter,  Col.  Charles,  72,  104,  378,  379; 
Washington  to,  on  his  cramped  accom 
modations  for  household,  237 

Carter,  Landon,  Washington  to,  333 

Gary,  358 

Casson,  see  Canon 

Caetiglioni,  Count,  visits  Mount  Vernon, 
49 

Catholics,  Roman,  address  from,  to  Wash 
ington,  175 

Census,  Washington  assents  to  the  act 
for  taking  the,  174 

Ceracchi,  Giuseppe,  and  national  monu 
ment,  301 

Chaloner,  Mr. ,  69 

Chambers,  300 

Chambers,  Charlotte,  extract  of  letter 
from,  to  Mrs.  James  Chambers,  300 

Chamberuburg,  300 

Chappedelaine,  Marquis  de,  visits  Mount 
Vernon,  100 

Charleston,  S.  C.,  picture  of  Washington 
by  Trumbull  owned  by  city  of,  236 

Charlestuwn,  West  Va.,  origin  of  name 
of,  11 

Chartiert  Creek,  14,  15 

Chase,  Judge  Samuel,  of  Maryland,  344, 
371 ;  appointed  commissioner  to  settle 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Chesapeake 
Bay,  27 

Chastellux,  his  description  of  Washington 
criticised,  113 

Chateaubriand,  Viscount  de,  interview  of, 
with  Washington,  229 

Cheat  River,  15,  16 

Cherokee  nation  sends  delegates  to  treat 
with  Washington,  280 

Chesapeake  Bay,  meeting  called  to  settle 
the  jurisdiction  of  the,  26,  27 

Chew, 357 

Chew,  Misses ,  present  at  presidential 

levee,  203 

Chew,  Benjamin,  76,  88,  357  ;  house  of, 
occupied  by  Washington,  297 

Chew,  Harriet,  notice  of  marriage  of,  to 
Charles  Carroll,  Jr.,  357;  mentioned, 
379 

Chew,  Peggy,  76 

Chickasaw  Indians,  Washington  holds 
reception  for,  279 

Chovet,  Dr.  A.,  see  Shovat 

Christ  Church,  of  Alexandria,  377,  381 ; 
of  Philadelphia,  80,  251,  297,  342 

Christiana  Bridge,  accident  to  Washing 
ton's  carriage  at,  92 

Chrystie,  Maj. ,  131 


398 


INDEX. 


Cincinnati  Society,  Washington  dines 
with,  at  Charleston,  217  ;  at  Savannah, 
218;  certificates  of,  signed  by  Wash 
ington,  25,  42,  47 ;  of  Massachusetts 
welcomes  Washington  to  Boston,  155; 
of  New  York  waits  on  Washington, 
141,  185;  of  Pennsylvania,  8,  72,  75, 
83,  240,  271,  272,  299,  320,  340;  of 
Rhode  Island,  193 

City  Light  Horse,  90 

City  Tavern,  Philadelphia,  77-80,  83,  87, 
90,  91,  195,  346 

Clark's  Tavern,  30 

Clarkson,  Matthew,  84 ;  report  of,  on 
yellow  fever  at  Philadelphia,  265 

Clay,  Joseph,  218 

Clifton,  ,  384 

Clinton,  Miss  Cornelia,  161 

Clinton,  Gov.  George,  144,  148,  161,  178, 
194;  Washington  to,  on  receiving  an 
invitation  to  his  house,  119 ;  receives 
Washington  at  New  York  in  1789,  129 ; 
entertains  Washington  and  family  at 
dinner,  164 ;  reviews  Col.  Rutger's 
troops,  189 ;  accompanies  Washington 
to  Rhode  Island,  191,  192;  daughter 
of,  marries  M.  Genet,  258 

Clinton,  Mrs.  George,  Washington  takes 
tea  with,  184 

Cliveden,  88 

Clymer,  George,  78,  80,84,  168,  169,  178 

Cobb,  Gen.  David,  155 

Cobbett,  William,  extract  from  pamphlet 
of,  314 

Cochran, ,  215 

Coffee  House,  Merchants',  346 

Coke,  Rev.  Thomas,  visits  Mount  Vernon, 
31 

Cold  Spring  Club,  see  Springettsbury 

Coles,  Isaac,  133,  165,  173,  222 

College  of  Philadelphia,  Washington 
present  at  opening  of  Law  School  of, 
202 

Columbia  College,  Annual  Commencement 
of,  May  9,  1789,  133 

Colvill,  Col.  Thomas,  Washington  execu 
tor  of  the  estate  of,  110 

Condict,  Capt.  ,  escorts  Washington 

at  Elizabethtown,  1789,  128 

Congress,  sessions  of,  held  at  Sixth  and 
Chestnut  Streets,  201 

"  Congress  Hall,"  description  of,  201 

Constitution  of  United  States  proposed, 
91 ;  ratification  of,  98 

Contee,  Benjamin,  175,  184 

Conway,  Moncure  Daniel,  274 

Conway,  Capt.  Richard,  62,  100  ;  Wash 
ington  to,  requesting  loan  of  money, 
118 

Cook,  Dr. ,  363 

Cooke,  Col. ,  72 

Cookerly, ,  225 


Corbin,  Francis,  73,  74 

"  Cornplanter,"  the  Seneca  chief,  visits 
Washington,  340 

Cornwallis,  Lord,  220,  257,  327 

Cotton  manufactory,  Washington  and 
party  visit,  238 

Cox,  John, 142 

Coxe, ,  302 

Craik,  George  Washington,  376,  377,  379, 
386  ;  secretary  to  Washington,  334 

Craik,  Dr.  James,  70,  100,  101,  110,  363, 
365,  367,  375,  376,  379,  384,  388; 
Washington  to,  on  a  proposed  memoir 
of  Washington  by  Bowie,  7 ;  accom 
panies  Washington  on  a  visit  to  Western 
Pennsylvania,  11-16;  Washington  de 
sires  to  provide  for  the  education  of 
his  son,  36 ;  sketch  of  life  of,  37 ; 
physician  to  Washington,  62 ;  enter 
tains  Washington  and  family,  66 

Craik,  Nancy,  110 

Craik,  William,  12,  33,  369,  384 

Crawford,  Maj.  ,  220 

Crawford,  Capt.  William,  13 

Creek  Indians,  see  Indians,  Creek 

Cresaps,  Col.  Thomas,  12 

Crevecoeur,  Hector  St.-John  de,  Washing 
ton  to,  121 

Gushing,  Judge  William,  170,  171,  172. 
344,  375 ;  administers  oath  of  office  to 
Washington,  251 

Gushing,  Mrs.  William,  extract  of  letter 
from,  302 

Custis,  23,  282 

Custis, ,  estate  of,  111 

Custis,  Eliza  Parke,  Washington  to,  on 
matrimony,  282  ;  mentioned,  302 

Custis,  George  Washington  Parke,  38, 
49,  64,  94,  164,  277,  303,  391;  receives 
by  will  the  Four  Mile  Run,  56 ;  at 
Abingdon,  101;  at  Alexandria,  101; 
accompanies  Washington  to  Philadel- 

Ehia,  194 ;  Washington  to,  351 ;  attends 
t.   John's    College,    Annapolis,    356 ; 
quoted,  379 

Custis,  John  Parke,  186,  353,  359 
Custis,  Nelly,  39,  52,  63,  164,  277,  311, 
349,  351,  355,  361,  365,  377,  379;  ac 
companies  Washington  to  Philadelphia, 
194;  to  Mount  Vernon,  346;  to  Mrs. 
Wolcott,  347;  marriage  of,  357,  378 
Cutler,  Manasseh,  81 

Daggett, ,  192 

Dalby,  Mrs. ,  33 

Dalson, ,  362 

Dalton,  Tristram,  131,  144,  148, 155,  156, 
157,  163,  170,  174,  179,  184 

Dalton,  Mrs.  Tristram,  138 ;  Washington 
calls  on,  162 

Dancing  Assembly  of  New  York,  Wash 
ington  attends  ball  given  by,  133 ;  of 


INDEX. 


399 


Philadelphia  celebrates  Washington's 
birthday  with  a  ball,  233,  272,  299; 
New  City,  gives  entertainment  to 
Washington,  234 

Dandridge,  23 

Dandridge,  Bartholomew,  resides  with 
Washington,  237  ;  mentioned,  241 ;  ac 
companies  Washington  to  Germantown, 
266;  introduces  Wansey  to  Washing 
ton,  277 ;  extract  of  letter  from,  to 
Giuseppe  Ceracchi,  301 ;  accompanies 
Washington  on  Western  expedition, 
283,  286,  287 

Dandridge,  Mrs.  Bartholomew,  death  of, 
28 

D'Arteignan,  Count  de  Cheiza,  53 

Dartmouth  College,  N.  H.,  161 

Daugherty, ,  13 

Davenport,  James,  receives  first  patent 
for  textile  machines,  338 

Davidson,  Rev.  Dr.,  Washington  attends 
church  of,  at  Carlisle,  286 

Davie,  Gov.  William  Richardson,  ap 
pointed  Envoy  Extraordinary  to 
France,  385 

Davis,  Rev.  Thomas,  rector  of  Christ 
Church,  Alexandria,  101 ;  delivers  dis 
course  at  celebration  at  Alexandria, 
259,  361 ;  mentioned,  378 

Dayton,  Jonathan,  335,  344 

Deakins,  Jr.,  Col.  William,  122 

De  Hart,  Miss,  ,  cuts  silhouettes  of 

Washington,  26 

Delivs, ,  360 

Deneale,  Capt.  Geo.,  366;  Washington 
to,  378 

Dennison,  Miss ,  389 

D'Estaing,  Count,  presents  Washington 
with  bust  of  M.  Necker,  197;  men 
tioned,  218 

Dickenson,  Gov. ,  29 

Dickenson,  Gen.  Philemon,  87 

Difficult  Run,  Loiidonn  County,  Va.f  386 

Digges,  George,  32,  73,  94,  108,  109 

Dinsmoor, ,  375 

Dismal  Swamp  Company,  29 

Dobson, ,  222 

Donald,  Alexander,  to  Thomas  Jeiferson 
on  his  visit  to  Mount  Vernon,  93 

Doradour,  Count,  visits  Mount  Vernon,  45 

Douglas,  Capt. ,  escorts  Washington 

at  New  Brunswick,  1789,  127 

Drayton,  William,  Washington  to,  on  his 
appointment  as  honorary  member  of 
the  South  Carolina  Agricultural  So 
ciety,  53 ;  visits  Mount  Vernon,  64 

Dreer,  Ferdinand  J.,  331 

Drew,  Capt. ,  173 

Duane,  Judge  James,  147,  178 

Duane,  Mayor  James,  receives  Washing 
ton  at  New  York,  1789,  129;  men 
tioned,  142 


Dubois, ,  149 

Duer,  Lady  Kitty,  138 

Duer,  Col.  William,  147,  163 

Dulany,  Benjamin,  48 

Dulany,  Jr.,  Daniel,  48 

Dumas,   Gen.   Mathieu,  Washington  to, 

349 

Dumfries, ,  29,  30,  212 

Dunlap,  Capt.  John,  287,  293 

Du    Pont,   M.,    at  Mount  Vernon,   110; 

accompanies    French     ambassador    to 

America,  228 

Durang,  Charles,  quoted,  205 
Durang,  John,  204 

Eastern  States,  Washington  leaves  New 
York  on  tour  through,  150 

Edgar,  Mrs. ,  138 

Edwards, ,  Speaker  of  the  Assembly, 

New  Haven,  151 

Egbert,  Maj.  Thomas,  Washington  visits 
house  of,  127 

Elk,  Head  of,  Washington  at,  in  1787, 
91 

Ellenborough,  Lord,  374 

Ellicot, ,  223 

Ellicot,  Andrew,  surveyor  of  District  of 
Columbia,  210 

Elliot,  Mrs. ,  65 

Ellsworth,  Oliver,  85,  135,  152,  169,  174, 
323,  344,  382;  appointed  Envoy  Ex 
traordinary  to  France,  385 

Elmer,  Jonathan,  169 

Embargo  on  commerce,  Congress  lays  an, 
for  thirty  days,  275 

Enew,  Capt. ,  100 

Epplee's  Tavern,  83 

Erskine,  Thomas,  Washington  to,  350 

Espy,  David,  entertains  Washington  at 
Bedford,  289 

Estaing,  Count  de,  150 

Eveleigh,  Nicholas,  178 

Everet, ,  215 

Excise  law,  opposition  to,  242;  Wash 
ington's  proclamation  regarding,  281 

Eyerly,  Jacob,  229 

Fairfax,  24 

Fairfax,  Col. ,  29 

Fairfax,  Rev.  Bryan,  70,  101,  103,  387, 
389,  390,  392;  at  Mount  Vernon,  33, 
41 ;  Washington  lodges  at  house  of,  38, 
41,  52,  60,  63 ;  return  of,  to  England, 
359;  Washington  to,  377;  home  of, 
377 

Fairfax,  Ferdinando,  at  Mount  Vernon,  33 

Fairfax,  George  William,  101,  358  ;  Wash 
ington  to,  assuring  him  a  welcome  to 
Mount  Vernon,  60 

Fairfax,  Sally  Gary,  Washington  to,  on 
permanent  seat  of  government,  358 

Fairfax,  Thomas,  392 


INDEX. 


Fairfax  County,  Fa.,  election  of  dele 
gates,  for,  358 ;  court-house  of,  359 ; 
mentioned,  361 

Fairlie,  Capt.  James,  visits  Mount  Vernon 
in  the  interests  of  the  Society  of  the 
Cincinnati,  47 

Faneuil  Hall,  Washington  dined  by  Gov 
ernor  and  Council  at,  in  1789,  155 

Fans  presented  to  the  ladies  who  attended 
the  Washington  ball,  1789,  134 

Fauchet,  Monsieur  ,  minister  to 

United  States,  258 ;  presented  to  Wash 
ington,  272;  retirement  of,  304;  de 
spatches  of,  captured  by  British  vessel, 
308 

Fayette  County,  Pa.,  Washington's  account 
of  visit  to,  10, 11,  13,  16 ;  meetings  held 
in,  in  opposition  to  excise  laws,  243 

Federal  Convention,  Washington  attends, 
74 

"  Federalist"  first  published  in  1788,  99 

Fell's  Point  troops,  371 

Fendal,  Philip  Richard,  43,  69,  108,  110, 
113;  Mrs. ,  34,379 

Fenner.  Gov.  Arthur,  of  Rhode  Island, 
192 

Fever,  yellow,  in  Philadelphia,  371 

Few,  William,  dines  with  Washington, 
138,  163,  167,  174;  presents  address  to 
Washington,  175,  176 

Fifer,  Capt. ,  221 

Findlay,  William,  229,  287 

Fish,  Nicholas,  128 

Fisher,  Capt. ,  251 

Fisher,  Mrs.  George,  extract  of  letter  to, 
388,  389 

Fishery  at  Mount  Vernon,  54 

Fishwater, ,  16 

Fitch,  John,  visits  Mount  Vernon  with 
model  for  steam  navigation,  42 

Fitzgerald,  Col.  John,  25,  28,  31,  36,  38, 
39,  44,  46,  51,  52,  60,  63,  94,  100,  107, 
108,  110,  117,  331,  355,  363,  370,  379, 
383,  384 

Fitzhugh,  Molly,  379 

Fitzhugh,  Nicholas,  386 

Fitzhugh,  William,  55, 104,  355,  376,  380, 
388 

Fitzhugh,  Jr.,  William,  110 

Fitzimmons, ,  346 

Fitzsimmons,  Thomas,  170,176,  186;  pre 
sents  address  from  Roman  Catholics  to 
Washington,  175 

Flag,  French,  presented  to  United  States, 
317 

Flagg,  Dr. ,  215 

Florida,  Elanca,  Count  de,  Washington  to, 
on  receipt  of  three  jackasses,  47 

Floyd,  William,  168, 181 

Foot, ,  389 

Forest,  Madam  de  la,  138 

Formicalo, ,  55 


Forrest,  Col. ,  211 

Fort  Johnton,  Washington  visits,  217 

Fort  Moultrie,  Washington  visits,  217 

Fort  Washington,  Washington  and  party 
visit,  187 

Foster,  Abiel,  167,  176 

Foster,  Theodore,  184;  accompanies 
Washington  to  Providence,  192 

Foulke,  Theophilus,  340 

Fountain  Inn,  Baltimore,  346 

Fox,  C.  T.,  remarks  of,  in  Parliament,  eu 
logizing  Washington,  268 

Fox,  Gilbert,  sings  "  Hail  Columbia"  at 
Chestnut  Street  Theatre,  359 

Fox-hunting,  Washington  takes  part  in,  96 

Foy, ,  215 

France,  hostilities  of,  towards  the  United 
States,  364 

Francis,  Tench,  77,  81,  372 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  74,  75,  79,  88,  90, 
252  :  presents  petition  from  Pennsylva 
nia  Abolition  Society,  176 ;  eulogy  on, 
before  the  American  Philosophical  Soci 
ety,  207 

Franklin  House,  residence  of  Washington 
in  New  York,  129 

Franks,  Col.  Isaac,  161,  267;  owner  of 
house  at  Germantown  occupied  by 
Washington,  283 

Frazer,  Robert,  340 

Fredericksburg,  death  of  Mrs.  Mary 
Washington  at,  145 

Freeman,  Jonathan,  358 

Freeman,  Maj.  Thomas,  15 

Frelinghuysen,  Frederick,  293 

French,  Miss ,  379 

Freneau,  Philip,  paper  of,  insulting  to 
Washington,  262 

Frere,  Chevalier  de,  from  Portugal,  pre 
sented  to  Washington,  292,  302 

Frestel,  M.  ,  312,  324;  sails  for 

France,  352 

Fullerton,  Capt.  Richard,  dines  at  Mount 
Vernon,  42 

Gadsby's  Tavern,  Alexandria,  370 

Gale,  George,  172,  178 

Gallatin,  Albert,  323 

Gardner,  Philip,  228 

Gardoqui,    Don  Diego  de,  89,   90,  227; 

leaves  for  Spain,  148 

Garnet, ,  219 

Garrard,  Louis  H.,  300 

Gates,  Gen.  Horatio,  meets  Washington 

in  1784,   regarding   the  navigation  of 

the  Potomac,  21,  22;  mentioned,  220 

Gatewood, ,  222 

Gauze,  William,  215 

Genet,   Edward    Charles,    minister   from 

France,  258  ;  recall  of,  requested,  258 ; 

Cabinet  meeting  held  to  consider  the 

conduct  of,  262 


INDEX. 


401 


Germantown,  Washington  resides  at,  dur 
ing  prevalence  of  yellow  fever  in  Phil 
adelphia,  266 ;  and  during  the  warm 
weather,  280-283 

Qermantown  Academy  offered  for  use  of 
Congress,  267 

Gerry,  Elbridge,  91,  160,  165,  173,  178, 
184;  appointed  envoy  to  France,  368 

Gerry,  Mrs.  Elbridge,  138,  164 

Gil),  Jonathan,  386,  387 

Gilinan,  Maj.  Nicholas,  157,  165,  166, 
175,  181,  186 

Gilpin,  Col.  George,  36,  38,  39,  41,  43,  46, 
51,  52,  59,  60,  63,  103,  117;  elected 
director  of  Potomac  Navigation  Com 
pany,  31 

Gion,  Capt.  Penthere,  155 

Gist,  Thomas,  13 

Globe  Mills,  Philadelphia,  Washington 
visits,  338 

Golden, ,  288 

Goldsborough, ,  34,  36,  38,  60 

Goodhue,  Benjamin,  167,  175,  184 

Gordon,  William,  Washington  to,  with 
silhouettes,  26 ;  and  on  prospect  of 
adoption  of  the  Constitution,  98 ;  and 
spurious  letters,  353 

Gore,  Christopher,  178 

Gorham,  Nathaniel,  85 

Gorman, ,  accompanies  Washington 

to  Providence,  192 

Graham,  Mrs.  Catharine  Macaulay,  visits 
Mount  Vernon,  32 

Grnnby,  219 

Grandchain,  Capt.  (of  the  French 

navy),  18 

Grant's  Tavern,  123,  196 

Gray,  George,  81 ;  fe'te  given  on  grounds 
of,  195 

Gray,  Robert,  81 

Gray's  Ferry,  Washington  at,  74,  81,  84, 
88 ;  decoration  of  the  bridge  at,  in 
1789,  124 

Grayson,  Rev.  Spence,  mentioned,  40 

Great  Meadows,  Fayette  County,  Pa., 
location  of,  13 

Green, ,  180 

Green,  Dr.  Ashbel,  Reminiscences  of, 
245,  339,  341,  343 

Green,  Rev.  Berryman,  101 

Greene,  Gen.  Nathaniel,  220,  388;  Wash 
ington  and  Hamilton  on  death  of,  61 ; 
oration  on,  141 

Greene,  Mrs.  Nathaniel  147,  163,  177; 
Washington  sends  theatre  tickets  to, 
162  ;  Washington  calls  on,  218 

Greenhow,  Dr. ,  376 

Greenwood,  Isaac,  298 

Greenwood,  John,  dentist  to  Washington, 
298 

Gregory,  Capt. ,  visits  Mount  Vernon, 

1H6 


Grenville,  Lord,  308 

Griffin, ,  204 

Griffin,  Lady  Christiana,  dines  with  Wash 
ington,  163;  mentioned,  179 

Griffin,  Cyrus,  134,  147,  179 

Griffin,  David,  dines  with  Washington, 
161 

Griffin,  Samuel,  Washington  to,  accepting 
office  of  chancellorship  in  William  and 
Mary  College,  102;  mentioned,  163, 
173 

Griffith,  Dr.  David,  40,  68,  69,  70;  rector 
of  Christ  Church,  Alexandria,  1780- 
1789,  101 

Groal,  Jonathan,  172,  184 

Grosvenor,  Col. ,  159 

Grout,  nee  Groal 

Guest,  Capt. ,  escorts  Washington  at 

New  Brunswick,  1789,  127 

Gulager,  Christian,  158 

Gunn,  James,  181 

Gurney,  Francis,  228,  287,  340 

Gwins,  ,  12 

Habersham,  Col.  Joseph,  218 

"  Hail  Columbia"  written  by  Joseph  Hop- 
kinson,  359 

Hall, ,  108,  109 

Hallam,  Mr.  and  Mrs. ,  comedy  pre 
sented  for  the  benefit  of,  293 

Halon.  Capt. ,  acts  as  escort  to  Wash 
ington  at  Trenton,  1789,  125 

Hamilton, ,  14 

Hamilton  Capt  ,  382 

Hamilton,  Col.  Alexander,  77,  90,  171, 
261,  371,  374;  on  death  of  General 
Nathaniel  Greene,  61, 141 ;  Washington 
to,  on  subject  of  the  Presidency,  108  ; 
on  the  opening  of  Congress,  198 ;  on 
the  itinerary  of  trip  through  the 
Southern  States,  212;  on  press  of  du 
ties,  241 ;  on  Viscount  de  Noailles,  256  ; 
on  his  trip,  291,  292 ;  on  his  retirement 
from  the  Secretaryship,  296  ;  on  Treaty 
of  Amity,  304,  324,  325;  appointed 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  131) ;  Wash 
ington  consults  with,  on  the  propriety 
of  making  a  tour  of  Eastern  States, 
148 ;  receives  theatre  tickets  from 
Washington,  162;  writes  to  Washing 
ton  on  his  re-election,  241 ;  at  Cabinet 
meeting  which  issued  proclamation  of 
neutrality,  255;  accompanies  Wash 
ington  on  Western  expedition,  283, 
284,  286,  287;  attends  Miss  Willing's 
marriage,  312 

Hamilton,  William,  76,  78,  87 

Hammond,  George,  235,  237,  302,  308; 
first  minister  from  Great  Britain,  pre 
sents  credentials  to  Washington,  231 ; 
"Jay  Treaty"  burned  in  front  of  house 
of,  306 


26 


402 


INDEX. 


Hampton,  Col.  Wade,  219 

Hancock,  Gov.  John,  152,  154,  155 

Hand,  Gen.  Edward,  226,  287 

Hand,  Mrs.,  mentioned,  227 

Hannah,  Capt. ,  259 

Hannum,  James,  340 

Hanover,  225 

Hanson,  Samuel,  48,  100 ;  Washington 
to,  on  his  future  political  life,  116 

Hanson,  Thomas,  48 

Hamvay,  Capt.  Samuel,  16 

Hare,  Robert,  Speaker  of  the  Senate, 
congratulates  Washington,  320 

Harpsichord  of  Nelly  Custis,  355 

Harris,  Capt. ,  371 

Harrison, ,  171,  220 

Harrison,  Benjamin,  Washington  to,  re 
garding  the  condition  of  the  country  in 
1784,  5 ;  and  on  his  future  political 
life,  119;  mentioned,  21,  1G3 

Harrison,  William,  of  Maryland,  visits 
Mount  Vernon,  53 

Harrison,  Maj. ,  mentioned,  380,  381 

Harsin,  Capt. ,  131 

Hartford,  Conn.,  Washington  at,  in  1789, 
152 

Hartley,  Thomas,  169,  170,  176,  225,  226, 
269  ;  accompanies  Charlotte  Chambers 
to  Mrs.  Washington's  levee,  299 

Hart's  Tavern,  180 

Hartshorne,  William,  treasurer  of  Poto 
mac  Navigation  Company,  33 

Harvard  College,  portrait  of  Washington, 
by  Savage,  owned  by,  164 

Haskell,  Capt. ,  25 

Hathorne,  John,  178 

Haviland,  Mrs. ,  150 

Hawkins,  Benjamin,  169,  171,174,184; 
and  settlement  with  Creek  Indians, 
172 

Hay,  Capt.  George,  225 

Hay  ward,  Judge,  217 

Headricks, ,  12 

Heard,  Sir  Isaac,  Washington  sends 
packet  to,  237 

Heath,  Col. ,  358,  376 

Heath,  James,  324 

Heister,  Daniel,  169,  178,  184 

Henderson,  Alexander,  appointed  com 
missioner  to  settle  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Chesapeake  Bay,  26,  27 

Henderson,  Richard,  73 

Henry,  John,  174,  177 

Henry,  Patrick,  30 ;  Washington  to,  de 
clining  shares  in  Potomac  Company, 
41 ;  to,  with  copy  of  Constitution,  92 ; 
to,  on  his  desires  for  the  United  States, 
310 

Henry,  Samuel,  tavern  of,  126 

Herbert,  ,  110,  363,  367,  379,  383, 

384 

Herbert,  Miss ,  379 


Herbert,  Mrs. ,  386 

Herbert,  Jonathan,  358,  379,  384,  386, 
392 

Herbert,  William,  41,  92 

Herd,  Capt. ,  escorts  Washington  at 

Elizabeth-Town,  1789,  128 

High  Street,  Philadelphia,  Washington 
resides  on,  373 

Hill,  Henry,  trustee  of  Germantown 
Public  School,  266 

Hiltzheimer,  Jacob,  extracts  from  diary 
of,  79,  82,  84,  199,  200,  205,  229,  230, 
245,  248,  249,  256,  260,  284,  301,  305, 
314,  320,  328,  336,  340 

Hipkins, ,  mentioned,  39 

Hites,  Col.  Abraham,  16 

Hobart,  Judge  John  Sloss,  dines  with 
Washington,  165 

Hobkirk's  Hill,  388 

Hodgden, ,  363,  379 

Hodgson, ,  382 

Hoes,  Rev.  Roswell  Randall,  107 

Hoge,  Jonathan,  229 

Holker,  John  (Consul-General  of  France), 
occupies  house  afterwards  owned  by 
Robert  Morris,  199,  200 

Hollingsworth,  Capt. ,  346,  371 

Hooes,  Col.  .  Washington  dines  at 

the  house  of,  117 

Hooper,  Mrs.  Thomas,  Theophilus  Brad 
bury  to,  315 

Hope  Park,  351,  359 

Hopkin,  Jonathan,  369 

Hopkinson,  Francis,  29,  80 

Hopkinson,  Joseph,  Washington  to,  with 
thanks  for  copy  of  "  Hail  Columbia," 
359 

Horry, ,  216 

Houdon,  Jean  Antoine,  arrives  at  Mount 
Vernon  and  takes  the  bust  of  Washing 
ton,  39 

Hough, (butcher),  59 

Hough,  John,  56,  103 

Hounds,  Washington  follows  the,  94,  95, 
96,  100 

House,  Mrs.  Mary,  74,  84,  89 

Houston,  Mrs. ,  138 

Houston,  John,  218 

Howard,  Col.  John  Eager,  76;  hospital 
ities  of,  to  Washington,  210 

Howe,  Gen.  Sir  William,  occupies  house 
afterwards  owned  by  Robert  Morris, 
199 

Ilowell,  Maj.  Richard,  composer  of  so 
nata  on  Washington  passing  through 
Trenton,  1789,  126 ;  Governor  of  New 
Jersey,  meets  Washington  at  Carlisle, 
285,  287 ;  at  Bedford,  289 

Hoyatt, ,  150 

Huger,  Daniel,  170,  178 

Hulme,  John,  340 

Hume,  80 


INDEX. 


403 


Humphreys,  Col.  David,  61,  62,  74,  95, 
96,  100,  101, 108, 167  ;  appointed  secre 
tary  of  commission  to  negotiate  treaties, 
9 ;  accompanies  Washington  to  New 
York,  120,  122,  125,  127,  132;  and  to 
Senate  Chamber,  167;  and  to  Rhode 
Island,  191 ;  Washington  to,  208,  227, 
253 ;  sketch  of  life  of,  227 

Hunt,  Capt. .  280 

Hunter, ,  100 

Hunter,  John,  visits  Mount  Vernon ;  his 
opinion  of  Washington,  44,  45 

Hunter,  William,  106 

Huntington,  Benjamin,  172,  178,  184 

Huntington,  Gen.  Jedidiah,  151 

Huntington,  Gov.  Samuel,  of  New  Haven, 
calls  on  Washington,  151 

Hutehinson,  Dr.  James,  89 

Hyler,  Capt.  Adam,  149 

Independence,  Declaration  of,  celebration 
of  the  anniversary  of,  185,  240 

Indian  chiefs  received  by  Washington, 
234,  238,  373 

Indian  Queen,  Philadelphia,  79,  82 

Indians,  Creek,  proposed  treaty  with,  161 ; 
mentioned,  163,  172,  190 

Indians,  depredations  of,  165;  Washing 
ton  dines  four  sets  of,  334 

Indians,  Southern,  meeting  of  Senate  to 
discuss  treaties  with,  143 

Ingerioll, ,  151,  154 

Ingersoll,  Jared,  75 

Ingraham, ,  100 

Ingram,  James,  220 

Iredell,  James,  nominated  for  associate 
judge,  171;  to  Mrs.  Tredwell,  262;  ex 
tracts  of  letters  from,  to  Mrs.  Iredell, 
299,  302,  339,  341,  343;  mentioned, 
344 

Irvine,  Gen.  William,  178,  287 ;  gives  in 
telligence  of  Arnold,  185 

Izard,  Ralph,  131,  135,  138,  149,  162, 168, 
170,  174,  179,  184;  member  of  the 
Senate  in  1790,  166;  welcomes  Wash 
ington  to  Charleston,  216;  notifies 
Washington  of  his  re-election,  250 

Izard,  Walter,  visits  Mount  Vernon,  64 

Jackson,  James,  169,  176 

Jackson,  Maj.  William,  74,  149, 150,  158, 
324,  372 ;  secretary  of  convention  at 
Philadelphia,  76,  78 ;  accompanies 
Washington  to  Senate  Chamber,  167; 
to  Rhode  Island,  191 ;  to  Philadelphia, 
195  ;  to  Southern  States,  209,  212,  224, 
226  ;  notice  of  marriage  of,  311 

James  River  Navigation  Company ;  Wash 
ington  subscribes  to,  36 ;  refuses  to  ac 
cept  shares  in,  41 ;  views  the  works  of, 
55,  213,  222 

Jameson, ,  219 


Jaudenr.es,  Don  Joseph  de,  presented  to 
Washington,  227  ;  mentioned,  302,  329 

Jay,  John,  131,  133,  136,  144,  145,  150, 
161,  162,  171,  177,  194;  Washington 
to,  on  confederation  of  States,  57  ;  on 
need  of  strong  union,  61 ;  on  affairs 
of  government,  139;  on  probability  of 
war  with  Great  Britain,  281 ;  approves 
of  Washington's  tour  through  Eastern 
States,  148;  appointed  minister  to  Eng 
land,  275,  276;  extract  of  letter  from, 
to  Mrs.  Jay,  275  ;  signs  Treaty  of  Amity, 
Commerce,  and  Navigation,  304 

"  Jay  Treaty"  stipulates  for  the  evacuation 
of  the  forts,  282;  ratified  in  London, 
322  ;  appropriations  required  for  carry 
ing  out,  323;  ratified  by  Washington, 
304  ;  great  opposition  to,  from  citizens 
of  Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia, 
etc.,  305;  mentioned,  307,  308 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  177,  227,  252,  258,  261, 
343,  344 ;  Alexander  Donald  to,  on  his 
visit  to  Mount  Vernon,  93  ;  Washing 
ton  to,  117;  to,  on  the  site  of  the  per 
manent  seat  of  government,  211 ;  to, 
with  itinerary  of  trip  through  Southern 
States,  212;  to,  on  strict  neutrality, 
254 ;  extracts  of  letters  to,  259,  265, 
330 ;  becomes  Sacretary  of  State  in  1790, 
139;  writes  to  William  Short,  183;  ac 
companies  Washington  on  visit  to  Rhode 
Island,  191,  192;  presents  consul  from 
Portugal  to  Washington,  200  ;  residence 
of,  in  Philadelphia,  205  ;  presents  Eng 
lish  ambassador  to  Washington,  231; 
Edward  Thornton's  opinion  of,  237; 
extract  of  letter  from,  to  Washington 
on  his  re-election,  241 ;  signs  proclama 
tion  against  opposition  to  excise  law, 
242;  to  Madison,  243,  266;  first  to 
send  message  to  Congress  on  its  open 
ing,  244,  245 ;  at  Cabinet  meeting  called 
to  issue  proclamation  of  neutrality, 
255 ;  opposes  Washington  in  reference 
to  M.  Genet,  262  ;  to  Mr.  Pinckney, 
267 

"  Jefferson's  Anas,"  extracts  from,  247 

Jenifer,  Major  Daniel,  at  Mount  Vernon, 
26 ;  appointed  commissioner  to  settle 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay, 
27 ;  mentioned,  78 

Johnson,  Capt. ,  153 

Johnson,  Joshua,  381 

Johnson,  Thomas,  35,  41,  103,  210;  ap 
pointed  commissioner  to  settle  the  juris 
diction  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay,  27 ; 
elected  director  of  the  Potomac  Navi 
gation  Company,  31  ;  commissioner  for 
the  Capitol  at  Washington,  264 

Johnson,  William  Samuel,  128,  loo,  162, 
181 

Johnston, ,  223 


404 


INDEX. 


Johnston,  Samuel,  52,  63,  170,  171,  174, 
181,  186 

Jones,  Lt. ,  363 

Jones,  David,  mentioned,  39 
Jones,  Dr.  John,  76 
Jones,  Noble  Wimberly,  218 
Jones,  Paul,  252 

Jordan,  Mrs. ,  222,  223 

Juhan, ,  77 

Kean,  Lt. ,  384 

Kean,  John,  162,  178 

Keeptriest  Furnace,  35 

Keith, ,  367,  384 

Keith,  Rev. ,  66 

Kellerman,  ,  accompanies  French 

ambassador  to  America,  228 

Kemble,  Gouverneur,  owner  of  bust  of 
Washington,  301 

Kemp's  Tavern,  383 

Kenner's  Tavern,  212 

Ketchum, ,  180 

Keys  Ferry,  11 

Keys,  Richard,  340 

Kilty, ,  acts  as  escort  to  Washington 

in  Annapolis,  210 

King,  Rufus,  163, 164,  168,  174,  178, 179, 
184;  notifies  Washington  of  his  re 
election,  250  ;  Washington  sends  theatre 
tickets  to,  162 

King,  Mrs.  Rufus,  163,  179 

Kinner, ,  213 

Knox,  Gen.  Henry,  74, 100,  131,  132, 134, 
162, 163,  171,  262,  279  ;  Washington  to, 
on  his  life  at  Mount  Vernon,  6 ;  on  his 
parting  with  Lafayette,  20 ;  on  his 
meeting  with  Gates,  22 ;  on  his  mother's 
illness,  72 ;  on  his  feelings  upon  ac 
cepting  the  Presidency,  120;  on  the 
impassability  of  the  roads  to  Philadel 
phia,  199 ;  on  trip  through  Southern 
States,  212 ;  on  fever  in  Philadelphia, 
263 ;  on  his  retiring  from  office  of  Sec 
retary  of  War,  294;  on  political  life, 
309 ;  on  retiring  from  the  Presidency, 
343:  attends  the  theatre,  138;  becomes 
Secretary  of  War,  1790,  139;  accom 
panies  Washington  to  meeting  of 
Senate,  14.*) ;  Washington  consults,  on 
proposed  trip  to  Eastern  States,  148 ; 
appointed  commissioner  for  Creek  na 
tion,  190  ;  present  at  Cabinet  meeting 
which  issued  proclamation  of  neutrality, 
255 ;  at  Miss  Willing's  marriage,  312 

Knox,  Mrs.  Henry,  138;  at  Mrs.  Wash 
ington's  levee,  300 

Kosciusko,  Gen. .  361 

Lafayette,  Marquis  de,  Washington  to,  on 
his  life  at  Mount  Vernon,  6 ;  on  navi 
gation  of  the  Potomac,  21  ;  on  the  ar 
rival  of  the  hounds  at  Mount  Vernon, 


37 ;  on  the  amendment  of  the  Articles 
of  Confederation,  56 ;  on  defects  of  the 
Federal  system,  71 ;  on  condition  of  the 
country,  105;  on  the  public  happiness, 
117;  on  his  illness,  183;  on  business 
transacted  by  Congress,  190 ;  on  his 
health,  208 ;  on  the  return  of  his  son, 
352;  visits  Mount  Vernon,  10;  is  en 
tertained  by  the  merchants  of  Rich 
mond,  Va.,  in  1784,  18;  parts  with 
Washington,  20  ;  sends  key  of  Bastile 
to  Washington,  189;  troubles  of,  249, 
250  ;  daughters  of.  share  his  captivity, 
250;  mentioned,  59,  66,  107,  114,  150, 
252,  254 

Lafayette,  Marchioness  de,  Washington 
to,  250 

Lafayette,  George  Washington,  Washing 
ton  to,  312 ;  receives  money  from  Wash 
ington,  334 ;  accompanies  Washington 
to  Mount  Vernon,  346  ;  sails  for  France, 
352 ;  mentioned,  324,  329,  349 

Lambert, ,  219 

La  Moyeur,  Dr. ,  113 

Lancaster  celebrates  anniversary  of 
American  independence,  226,  227 

Langdon,  Hon.  John,  128,  135,  138,  144, 
157,  158,  167,  174,  179;  Washington 
to,  upon  receiving  official  notification 
of  his  election  as  President  of  the 
United  States,  121 

Langdon,  Mrs.  John,  138 

Lanxdoione,  residence  of  John  Penn,  85,  88 

"  Lansdowne  Portrait,"  324,  325 

Latimer,  George,  Speaker  of  the  House 
of  Representatives,  congratulates  Wash 
ington  on  his  birthday,  298,  320 ;  men 
tioned,  340 

Latrobe,  Benjamin  H.,  349,  350 

Laurens,  Col.  John,  257 

Lau/.un,  Duke  de,  59 

Law,  186,  282,  374 

Law,  Eliza  Parke,  is  bequeathed  picture 
of  Washington,  186 ;  mentioned,  326 

Law,  Thomas,  351,  359,  361,  368,  375, 
379,  381,  384,  385,  387 

Lawrence,  John, 77, 128, 164, 168, 175;  no 
tifies  Washington  of  his  re-election,  250 

Lawson,  Alexander,  346 

Lear,  Mrs.  Mary,  death  of,  261 

Lear,  Tobias,  63,  64,  94,  95,  96,  110,  144, 
150,  187,  197,  198,  231,  232,  309,  326, 
356,  363,  369,  370,  371,  372,  374,  375, 
386;  engaged  as  private  secretary  to 
Washington,  57;  accompanies  Wash 
ington  to  Alexandria,  101 ;  to  New 
York,  120;  to  Senate  Chamber,  167; 
carries  bond  to  Captain  Conway,  118; 
quoted,  132,  393 ;  to  Clement  Biddle  on 
the  indisposition  of  Washington,  140, 
194;  Washington  to,  196,  199,  263;  to, 
on  sending  Jay  to  England,  276 


INDEX. 


405 


Lee, ,  34,  35,  100,  117,  369,  379 

Lee,  Arthur,  33,  134,  178;  member  of 
Finance  Committee,  139 

Lee,  Charles,  34,  46,  73,  367,  369 ;  Wash 
ington  to,  on  the  Attorney-Generalship, 
312 

Lee,  Cornelia,  361,  382 

Lee,  Edmund,  379,  384 

Lee,  Gen.  George  W.  C.,  owner  of  Peale's 
portrait  of  Washington,  303 

Lee,  Henry,  46,  69,  110,  113,  213,  312, 
358 ;  Washington  to,  on  trouble  in 
Massachusetts,  65 ;  on  the  Constitu 
tion,  109;  on  portrait  taking,  239; 
on  his  re-election,  249 ;  on  the  policy 
of  the  United  States  remaining  neu 
tral,  255  ;  on  his  trip  to  Mount  Vernon, 
260,  261  ;  accompanies  Washington  to 
Bedford,  289,  290 ;  receives  instructions 
from  Washington,  290 

Lee,  Jesse,  213 

Lee,  Lucy,  379 

Lee,  Ludwell,  44,  110,  361,  362,  363,  379, 
382 

Lee,  Richard  Bland,  visits  Mount  Vernon, 
52 ;  Washington  votes  for,  as  repre 
sentative  to  Congress,  117  ;  mentioned, 
168,  363 

Lee,  Richard  Henry,  44,  45,  131,  181, 
186,  361  ;  Washington  to,  on  canal 
navigation,  21  ;  presents  address  from 
Virginia  to  Washington,  180;  son  of, 
mentioned,  212 

Lee,  Thomas  Sim,  elected  director  of  the 
Potomac  Navigation  Company,  31 ; 
mentioned,  63,  103 

Lee,  Mrs.  Thomas  S.,  212 

Lee,  William,  357,  361  ;  son  of,  men 
tioned,  106;  body  servant  of  Wash 
ington,  28 

Lee  family,  members  of,  visit  Mount 
Vernon,  34 

Legaux,  Peter,  84 

Leigh's  Tavern,  94,  95 

Lemon  Hill,  residence  of  Robert  Morris, 
75 

L'Enfant,  Maj. ,  210,  223 

Leonard,  George,  172,  178,  184 

Lerch,  Anthony,  229 

Lewis,  29,  289,  311,  356 

Lewis,  Col.  Andrew,  102 

Lewis,  Betty,  104,  212,  223;  illness  of, 
72 ;  Washington  to,  on  family  affairs, 
243 

Lewis,  Col.  Fielding,  children  of,  356 

Lewis,  Maj.  George,  288;  Washington's 
words  to,  in  1 794,  289 ;  to,  on  troubles 
with  domestic  service,  353 

Lewis,  Howell,  241,  289;  resides  with 
Washington,  237  ;  Washington  to,  266; 
last  visit  of,  to  Washington,  391 

Lewis,  John,  28,  72 


Lewis,  John  Delaware,  325 

Lewis,  Maj.  Lawrence,  289,  311,  391; 
accompanies  Washington  to  the  Senate 
Chamber,  167 ;  notice  of  marriage  of, 
to  Nelly  Custis,  357 ;  Washington  to, 
on  his  marriage,  377  ;  license  for  same, 
378 ;  marriage  of,  378,  379 ;  daughter 
of,  388 

Lewis,  Lorenzo,  311 

Lewis,  Col.  Morgan,  131 

Lewis,  Robert,  243, 378 ;  nephew  of  Wash 
ington,  dines  with  his  uncle,  144;  ex 
tract  from  diary  of,  145;  Washington 
to,  on  payment  of  rents  by  tenants, 
230 ;  on  life  at  Mount  Vernon,  329 

Lewis,  Thomas,  16 

Lilly,  Thomas,  228 

Lincoln,  Gen.  Benjamin,  33,  65,  161,  218, 
312 

Linn,  Dr.  AVilliam,  first  chaplain  of  United 
States  House  of  Representatives,  dines 
with  Washington,  164 

Listen,  Sir  Robert,  373,  386 ;  on  personal 
appearance  of  Washington,  244 ;  his 
reception  as  Envoy  Extraordinary  to 
the  United  States,  327 

Listen,  Mrs.  Robert,  343 

Lithgow, ,  219 

Little,  Col,  Charles,  reviews  troops  at 
Alexandria,  361 ;  mentioned,  380 

Littlepage,  Capt.  Lewis,  visits  Mount 
Vernon,  43 

Livermore,  Judge  Samuel,  167,  176 

Livingston,  80 

Livingston,  Mrs. ,  80,  83,  138 

Livingston,  Brockholst,  delivers  oration 
on  the  anniversary  of  Declaration  of 
Independence,  185 

Livingston,  Chancellor,  lady,  and  sister 
dine  with  Washington,  165  ;  mentioned, 
138 

Livingston,  Edward,  31 2,  323 

Livingston,  Peter  Van  Brugh,  son  of,  visits 
Mount  Vernon,  40 

Livingston,  Mrs.  Peter  Van  Brugh, 
dances  with  Washington,  134 

Livingston,  Hon.  Robert  R.,  128;  ad 
ministers  oath  to  Washington,  131,  132 

Livingston,  Walter,  134;  member  of 
Finance  Committee,  139 

Livingston,  William,  acts  as  escort  to 
Washington  through  New  Brunswick, 
1789,  127;  visits  Mrs.  Washington, 
163 

Lloyd,  Peter,  229 

Logan,  Dr.  George,  83,  111 

Logston, ,  16 

Lomax, ,  31,  68 

Lone,  John,  dines  with  Washington,  40 

Long,  Mary,  309 

Louis  XVI.,  portrait  of,  at  Mount  Vernon, 
61 


406 


INDEX. 


Lucket,  Capt. ,  14 

Ludlow,  300 

Luke, ,  380 

Luzac,  John,  Washington  to,  354 
Luzerne,  Chevalier  de,  visits  Mount  Ver- 

non,  7 
Lyle's  Tavern,  39,  54 

Lyles,  Co). ,  374,  375 

Lyman, ,  152 

Lynch,  Mrs. ,  138 

Lynn,  Maj. ,  288 

Lynne,  Col. ,  28 

Lyon,  Peter,  29 

McAlister's  Town,  225 

Macarty,  Col.  Daniel,  46 

Macaulay,  Mrs. ,  see  Graham 

McClay,  William,  174 

McClellan,  Gen.  George,  199 

McClenegan,  Blair,  88 

McComb,  Mrs. ,  138 

McComb's  wharf,  194 

McConnell,  Matthew,  293 

McDougall,  Gen.  Alexander,  President 
of  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  47 

McGillivray,  Alexander,  sachem  of  Creek 
Indians,  172;  receives  token  of  peace 
from  Washington,  190 ;  mentioned, 
175,  188,  189 

McGlee,  Col. ,  284 

McGuire,  Edward  C.,  quoted,  381 

McHenry,  Dr.  James,  73 

McHenry,  James,  Washington  to,  140, 
330,  347,  348,  362,  365,  367 ;  appointed 
Secretary  of  War,  312;  mentioned, 
363,  364,  373 

Mclntosh,  Gen.  Lachlin,  218 

McKean,  Sally,  extract  from  letter  of, 
203 ;  marriage  of,  329 

McKean,  Chief-Justice  Thomas,  acts  as 
escort  to  Washington  through  Phila 
delphia,  1789,  124;  mentioned,  87, 
240 

McKee,  Col. ,  284 

MacKnight,  Dr. ,  physician  to  Wash 
ington,  182 

McKoy,  ,  overseer  for  Washington, 

303 

McKoy,  Judge ,  welcomes  Washing 
ton  to  Salisbury,  221 

Maclay,  Edgar  S.,  206 

Maclay,  Henry,  168 

Maclay,  John,  168 

Maclay,  Samuel,  229 

Maclay,  William,  extracts  from  journal 
of,  130,  132,  135,  137,  141,  144,  168, 
169,  174,  181,  182,  185,  186,  200,  201, 
202,  203,  204,  205 

Macomb  House,  residence  of  Washington 
in  New  York  after  1790,  129 

McPherson,  Maj.  William,  228,  287,  293, 
340,  372 


Madison,  James,  37,  40,  64,  68,  69,  76, 
106,  115,  147,  170,  175,  177,  186,  269  ; 
Washington  to,  on  navigation  of  the 
Potomac,  22  ;  to,  desiring  copies  of  the 
"  Federalist,"  99  ;  to,  on  engaging  lodg 
ings  for  presidential  party,  120  ;  to,  on 
fever  at  Philadelphia,  265 ;  presents 
address  of  Virginia  Assembly  to  Wash 
ington,  10;  appointed  commissioner 
to  settle  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Chesa 
peake  Bay,  26,  27;  dines  at  Mount 
Vernon,  100;  attends  the  inauguration 
of  Washington,  131;  favors  Washing 
ton's  tour  through  Eastern  States,  14U; 
extracts  of  letter  to,  from  Jefferson, 
243,  266 ;  notifies  Washington  of  his 
re-election,  250 

Madison,  Mrs.  James,  321 

Magowan, ,  visits  Mount  Vernon,  31 

Malcolm,  Gen. ,  brigade  of,  reviewed 

by  Washington,  18'J 

Mandrillon,  Joseph,  extract  regarding 
Washington  from  his  work  on  America, 
19 

Mangle,  Washington's  opinion  of  a,  88 

Manigault, ,  216 

Manley  and  French,  Washington  pur 
chases  land  from,  67 

Manning,  Dr.  James,  introduces  Wash 
ington  to  the  college  library  at  Provi 
dence,  192 

Miinshur, ,  96 

Mariner,  Capt.  William,  149,  187 

Marshall, ,  quoted,  291,  307,  308 

Marshall, ,  the  music  master,  355 

Marshall,  John,  Washington  to,  354 ;  ap 
pointed  envoy  to  France,  367 

Marshall,  Samuel,  340 

Marshall,  Smith,  177 

Martin,  Gov.  Alexander,  arrives  in  Salem, 
N.  C.,  221 

Marvin,  Maj. ,  160 

Maryland,  Declaration  of  the  General 
Assembly  of,  313,  337 

Maryland  and  Virginia  commissioners 
meet  at  Mount  Vernon  in  1785,  27 

Mason,  Col.  George,  27,  28,  46,  47,  54,  71, 
72,  75,  91,  112,  243;  attends  meeting 
of  commissioners  at  Alexandria,  26 

Mason,  Thomson,  51,357,  379,380;  op 
posed  to  the  Jay  Treaty,  304 

Masonic  festival  attended  by  Washing 
ton,  9 

Masons,  Washington  receives  address 
from  Grand  Lodge  of,  233,  337;  An 
cient  York  Masons  of  Alexandria  dine 
Washington,  347;  rites  of,  conducted 
over  Washington's  remains,  393 

Masters,  Mary,  original  owner  of  Robert 
Morris  house,  199 

Masters,  Sarah,  200 

Masters,  William,  199 


INDEX. 


407 


Mathews, ,  108,  109 

Mathews,  Gen.  ,  289 

Mathews,  George,  168,  176 

Maxwell,  Mrs.  James  H.,  dances  with 
Washington,  134 

Meade,  363 

Meadc,  Richard  Kidder,  363 

Meeker,  Capt.  ,  escorts  Washington 

at  Elizabeth-Town,  1789,  128 

Mentges,  "r1.  Francis,  74 

Mercer,  Capt. ,  289 

Mercer,  Charles  Fenton,  369,  384 

Mercer,  Col.  George,  28;  Washington 
sells  and  purchases  land  from  estate  of, 
54,  55 

Mercer,  James,  28,  30,  72 ;  buys  lots  from 
estate  of  brother  George,  55,  56 

Mercer,  John  F.,  Washington  to,  on 
slavery,  fi2 

Meredith, ,  384 

Meredith,  Mrs. ,  77 

Meredith,  Samuel,  80,  83,  84,  87,  90,  161, 
163,  169,  373 

Miami,  319 

Michaux,  Andre,  visits  America,  59 

Michaux,  Francois  Andr6,  visits  America 
to  study  forestry,  59 

Mifflin,  Thomas,  74,  76,  78,  84,  89,  265, 
287,  289,  373 ;  Washington  to,  regard 
ing  a  testimonial  proposed  by  Pennsyl 
vania,  4 ;  accompanies  Washington 
through  Philadelphia,  1789,  124;  re 
ceives  Washington  at  Philadelphia, 
195  ;  attends  Judge  Wilson's  law  lec 
ture,  202 ;  attends  ball  given  by  Dan 
cing  Assembly  in  Philadelphia,  233 ;  as 
President  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincin 
nati,  calls  on  Washington,  240 ;  meets 
Washington  at  Carlisle,  285 

Mifflin,  Warner,  visits  Washington  on  be 
half  of  slaves,  175 

Miles,  Col.  Samuel,  74,  79 

Militia,  national,  Washington  writes  to 
Secretary  of  War  upon  question  of, 
164;  receives  report  from,  169 

Miller,  William,  340 

Milligan,  Robert,  84 

Mint,  Congress  takes  measures  towards 
establishing  the,  208 

Mitchell, ,  82,  307 

Monroe,  Col.  James,  64;  Washington  to, 
331 

Montgomery,  John,  229 

Montgomery,  Mrs. ,  138 

Monticello,  177 

Moore,  Andrew,  172,  178 

Moore,  Benjamin,  142 

Moore,  Jane,  86 

Moore,  Maj.  Thomas  Lloyd,  80 

Moore  Hall,  residence  of  William  Moore, 
86 

Moore's  Tavern,  222 


Moravian  settlement  at  Salem,  N.  C., 
AVashington  visits,  221 

Morgan,  Gen.  Daniel,  11,  289 

Morris,  Elliston  Perot,  268 

Morris,  Gouverneur,  33,  91,  95,  106, 149 ; 
accompanies  Washington  to  Valley 
Forge,  85  ;  to  Trenton,  86  ;  Washington 
to,  on  visit  from  Indian  chiefs,  239  ;  to, 
on  condition  of  the  United  States,  315, 
321,  322;  is  asked  to  have  M.  Genet 
recalled,  262 

Morris,  Maj.  Jacob,  65 

Morris,  Col.  Lewis,  65,  147 

Morris,  Richard  (Chief- Justice),  attends 
ball  given  by  Dancing  Assembly  in 
New  York,  133 

Morris,  Robert,  8,  29,  79-91,  95, 130,  135, 
137,  138,  143,  165,  170,  174,  181,  373; 
Washington  entertained  by,  74-76 ; 
family  of,  visit  Mount  Vernon,  102- 
106;  entertains  Washington  on  his 
way  to  New  York,  124;  history  of 
house  of,  provided  by  city  as  residence 
for  Washington,  199;  attends  Mbs 
Willing's  marriage,  312 

Morris,  Mrs.  Robert,  77,  279  ;  accompanies 
Mrs.  Washington  to  New  York,  li!7 ; 
receives  one  of  the  proof  impressions 
of  Washington,  199 

Morris,  Col.  Roger,  mention  of  house  of, 
187 

Morris,  Samuel,  268 

Morris,  William,  visits  Mount  Vernon, 
351 

Morritania,  149 

Morse, ,  184 

Morse,  Rev.  Jedidiah,  sketch  of  Wash 
ington  by,  66 

Moultrie,  Gen.  William,  215,  217,  218; 
Washington  to,  with  account  of  health, 
228;  to,  on  portrait  by  Trurnbuli, 
236 

Mounsher, ,  48 

Mount  Vernon,  alterations  and  improve 
ments  at,  9,  10;  extent  of  the  estate 
at,  50  ;  advisability  of  letting  the  estate 
at,  269 ;  Washington's  interest  in, 
while  President,  273-275 ;  his  system 
for  managing  the  farms  at,  392 ;  his 
remains  deposited  in  vault  at,  393 

Mounts, ,  12 

Moustier,  Count  de,  110,  134,  147,  149, 
150  ;  gives  a  ball  in  honor  of  Washing 
ton,  135 ;  Washington  to,  thanking 
him  for  gift  of  engravings,  198 

Muhlenberg,  Frederick  A.,  132,  138,  167, 
323 

Muhlenberg,  Gen.  Peter,  137,  167,  175, 
181 

Muir,  Rev.  James,  in  charge  of  Orphan 
School  at  Alexandria,  272 

Mulberry  Grove,  218 


408 


INDEX. 


Mulhollan,  John,  229 

Murray, ,  100 

Murray,  John,  130 

Necker,  M.,  bust  of,  presented  to  Wash 
ington,  197 

Needles,  Samuel  H.,  338 

Neely,  Mrs. ,  162 

Nelson,  ,  100,  386 

Nelson,  Jr.,  Thomas,  appointed  secretary 
to  Washington,  147;  accompanies  him 
to  Senate  Chamber,  167:  to  Khode 
Island,  191  ;  to  Philadelphia,  195 

Neutral  vessels,  Great  Britain's  order 
regarding,  causes  trouble  in  the  United 
States,  276 

Neutrality,  proclamation  of,  issued,  255; 
merchants  and  traders  of  Philadelphia 
thank  Washington  for  proclamation  of, 
257 

New  York,  Washington's  reluctance  at 
having  to  leave,  194 

Newenham,  Sir  Edward,  Washington  to, 
107 

Nicholas,  Francis,  74 

Nichols, ,  357,  379 

Niemcewitz, ,  361 

Noailles,  Louis  Marie,  Viscount  de, 
refugee  from  France,  visits  Philadel 
phia,  256,  257;  present  at  Miss  Will- 
ing's  marriage,  312 

North,  Lord,  324 

North  Carolina  adopts  the  Federal  Con 
stitution,  168 

Nourse,  Joseph,  178 

O'Connell,  Mrs. ,  75 

Odem, ,  219 

Oeller's  Hotel,  Chestnut  Street,  Philadel 
phia,  251,  304,  345 

Ogden, ,  rector  of  Episcopal  Church 

at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  157 

Ogden,  Samuel,  87 

Ogden,  Ilev.  Uzal,  142 

Oliver, ,  213 

Onderdonk,  Henry,  180 

O'Neill, ,  240 

Osborne, ,  213 

Osgood,  Samuel,  134,  147,  163,  172,  204; 
owner  of  Franklin  House,  129;  mem 
ber  of  Finance  Committee,  139; 
daughter  of,  marries  M.  Genet,  259 

Otis,  Samuel  Allyne,  of  Massachusetts, 
176,  344;  first  secretary  of  United 
States  Senate,  dines  with  Washington, 
165 

Page,  Col. ,  289 

Page,  John,  168,  175,  177,  181 
Page,  Mrs.  John,  181 
Page,  Man,  104 


Paine,  Thomas,  Washington  to,  on  receipt 
of  key  of  Bastille,  189 ;  mentioned, 
237 

Pains,  Widow ,  222 

Palyrat,  Ignatius,  consul  from  Portugal, 
presented  to  the  President,  200 

Parker,  Rev.  B.  B.  C.,  William  White  to, 
297 

Parker,  Col.  John,  157,  386 

Parker,  Josiah,  172,  178 

Parker,  Dr.  Samuel,  rector  of  Episcopal 
Church,  Boston,  1789,  155 

Parkinson,  Richard,  quoted,  375 

Parks,  101 

Parks,  Andrew,  13 

Partridge,  George,  dines  with  Washing 
ton,  165,  176 

Paterson,  William,  168,  169,  174,  181, 
344 

Paulding,  James  K.,  quoted,  391 

Pauley, ,  215 

Payne,  Lucy,  marriage  of,  321 

Peake,  William,  47 

Peale,  Charles  Willson,  mention  of  the 
mezzotints  by,  82,  83 ;  assists  in  the 
decoration  of  Gray's  Ferry  Bridge  in 
1789,  124 ;  mention  of  portrait  of 
Washington  by,  303,  346 

Pearce,  ,  owner  of  cotton  manufac 
tory,  238 

Pearce,  William,  becomes  manager  of 
farms  at  Mount  Vernon,  260  ;  Wash 
ington  to,  with  annual  subscription  to 
Orphan  School  at  Alexandria,  272 ;  to, 
on  market  prices  obtained  for  produce 
at  Mount  Vernon,  273,  274,  275  ;  re 
tirement  of,  331 ;  Washington  to,  263, 
266,  272,  278,  279,  280,  283,  302,  303, 
311,  315,  317,  318,  327,  328,  332,  334, 
336 

Pekmoller, ,  360 

Pendleton,  Edmund,  Washington  to,  on 
retirement  to  private  life,  295 

Penn,  John,  75,  76,  78,  84,  85,  88 

Penn,  Jr.,  Richard,  occupies  house  after 
wards  owned  by  Robert  Morris,  199, 
200 

Penthere,  Count  de,  sends  greetings  to 
Washington,  149 

Perkins,  Squire ,  159 

Perry's  garden,  mention  of,  149 

Peter,  283 

Peter,  Eleanor,  at  Mount  Vernon,  351 

Peter's  Tavern,  224 

Peters,  Judge  Richard,  76,  85,  88,  244, 
262,  373  ;  acts  as  escort  to  Washington 
through  Philadelphia  in  1789,  124 

Peters,  Thomas,  351,  355,  359,  368,  369, 
370,  375,  378,  379,  381,  385,  387 

Phifer  Maj. ,  220,  221 

Philadelphia,  Washington's  welcome  in, 
74,  195;  the  birthday  of  Washington 


INDEX. 


409 


celebrated  in,  207,  251 ;  merchants  and 
traders  of,  address  Washington  on 
neutrality,  257 ;  yellow  fever  in,  265, 
871  ;  meeting  of  citizens  of,  opposed  to 
the  Jay  Treaty,  306 ;  merchants  of, 
give  dinner  to  Washington,  345  ;  shows 
honor  to  the  Coinmander-m-Chief  of 
the  army,  372 

Philips,  Col. ,  15,  16 

Phillips,  Samuel,  President  of  the  Senate 
of  Massachusetts  in  1789,  welcomes 
Washington,  159 

Philosophical  Society,  see  American  Phil 
osophical  Society 

Pickering, ,  308 

Pickering,  John,  Vice-President  of  State 
of  New  Hampshire,  receives  Washing 
ton,  157 

Pickering,  Timothy,  to  Mrs.  Pickering, 
with  account  of  defeat  of  St.  Glair's 
army,  231 ;  invites  Indians  to  visit 
Philadelphia,  234;  succeeds  Gen.  Knox 
as  Secretary  of  War,  294 ;  Washington 
to,  310,  322,  329,  330,  369  ;  appointed 
Secretary  of  State,  312;  Washington 
denies  to,  the  authorship  of  the  "  spu 
rious  letters,"  353 ;  Washington  dines 
with,  373 

Pierce, ,  219 

Piercey,  Capt. ,  370 

Pinckney,  Charles  Cotesworth,  75,  77,  93, 
302,  371,  374,  375;  Washington  to, 
106;  to,  on  Nelly  Custis's  marriage, 
379 ;  extract  of  letter  from  Jefferson 
to,  267 :  as  recorder  of  city  of  Charles 
ton,  welcomes  Washington,  216;  suc 
ceeds  Col.  Humphreys  as  minister  to 
Spain,  227 ;  appointed  envoy  to  France, 
368 

Pinckney,  Thomas,  minister  to  England, 
276 

Pine,  Robert  Edge,  29,  82,  89 

Piomingo  (an  Indian),  Washington  gives 
reception  to,  279 

Pittsburgh,  resolutions  passed  in,  in  oppo 
sition  to  excise  laws,  243 

Placide,  Monsieur,  Washington  attends 
theatre  benefit  for,  238 

Plater,  Col.  George,  108,  109 

Plater,  Mrs.  George,  108 

Platt,  Col. ,  on  yellow  fever  in  Phila 
delphia,  265 

Platt,  Widow,  180 

Pole, ,  8 

Polk,  Gen.  Thomas,  220 

Pollock,  Oliver,  87 

Polnitz,  Baron  de,  Washington  calls  on,  to 
view  his  threshing  machine,  169 

Pond,  Enoch,  159 

Pope, ,  candidate  for  Senate  in  dis 
trict  of  Fairfax,  1787,  95;  mentioned, 
101 


Porcupine,  Peter,  see  Cobbett 

Porter, ,  96,  100,  112,  363 

Potomac  Navigation  Company,  Washing 
ton  on  the,  21,  22;  organization  of,  30; 
Washington  attends  meetings  of,  31,  32, 
33,  34,  38,  39,  41,  43,  45,  51,  52,  54,  58, 
59,  61,  62,  68,  94,  95,  103,  107,  197, 
307,  355,  366,  384;  Washington  in 
spects  the  route  of,  35 ;  he  refuses  to 
accept  shares  in,  41 

Potomac  Hirer,  Washington  issues  proc 
lamation  in  reference  to  seat  of  govern 
ment  on  206;  takes  trip  up  the,  198 

Potts, ,  110,  363,  379,  384 

Potts,  Jr.,  John,  clerk  of  Potomac  Navi 
gation  Company,  51,  52,  63,  95,  383 

Potts,  William  Herbert,  376 

Powel,  Samuel,  75,  79,  80,  82,  83,  84,  85, 
87,  88,  89,  93,  94 

Powel,  Mrs.  Samuel,  4 

Powell,  Col. ,  383 

Poteles  Hook  Ferry,  194 

Prager, ,  80 

Price,  Dr.  Richard,  300,  318 

Pridie, ,  222 

Priestley,  Dr.  Joseph,  318 

Prince's  fruit-gardens,  mention  of,  149 

Proctor,  Col.  Thomas,  escorts  Indians  to 
Philadelphia,  239 

Provost,  Bishop  Samuel,  performs  re 
ligious  service  at  inauguration  of  Wash 
ington,  132;  mentioned,  142,  164,  179 

Provost,  Mrs.  Samuel,  138 

Publius,  essays  published  under  signature 
of,  1788,  99 

Quakers,    Washington    receives    address 

from  the,  150,  175 
Quincy,  Mass.,    President  Adams  visits, 

371' 

Rammage,  John,  takes  a  miniature  of 
Washington,  147 

Ramsay,  Col. ,  363,  384 

Ramsay,  Andrew,  and  wife,  379 

Ramsay,  Col.  Dennis,  41 

Ramsay,    William,   Washington    attends 

funeral  of,  25;  mentioned,  379 
Randall,    Thomas,    cockswain    on    barge 
conveying  Washington  to  New  York, 
128,  129 

Randolph.  Lt.-Gov.  Beverley,  55 
Randolph,  Capt.  David  Meade,  213,  363 
Randolph,  Edmund,  71,  75,  80,  85,  91, 
171,  302,  312  ;  appointed  commissioner 
to  settle  the  jurisdiction  of  Chesapeake 
Bay,  26.  27:  appointed  Attorney-Gen 
eral,  139 ;  at  Cabinet  meeting  which 
issued  proclamation  of  neutrality,  255  ; 
presents  M.  Fauchet  to  Washington, 
272:  introduces  John  Quincy  Adams 
to  Washington,  279;  Washington  to, 


410 


INDEX. 


on  inland  navigation,  36 ;  to,  on  the 
Constitution,  99 ;  to,  on  his  re-election, 
242 ;  to,  265,  266 ;  to,  on  Jay's  appoint 
ment,  275;  to,  278,  279;  to,  on  Jay 
Treaty,  306,  308 ;  to,  on  his  resignation 
as  Secretary  of  State,  308 

Rawdon,  Lord,  220 

Rawle,  William,  373 

Rawling, ,  213 

Rawlins,  Albin,  clerk  to  Washington  at 
Mount  Vernon,  357 

Read,  Hon.  George,  acts  as  escort  to  Wash 
ington  through  Philadelphia,  1789, 124; 
mentioned,  147,  175 

Read,  Jacob,  373 

Red  Jacket  presented  with  silver  medal 
by  the  government,  235 

Redick,  David,  at  Carlisle,  287 

Redman,  Dr.  John,  83 

Reed, ,  221 

Reed,  Joseph,  228,  373 

Reinagle,  ,  80 

Rhode  Inland,  College  of,  gives  an  address 
of  welcome  to  Washington,  192 

Rhodes, ,  374 

Richardet,  Samuel,  346 

Richmond,  Va.,  merchants  of,  give  a 
dinner  to  Washington  and  Lafayette, 
18,  19 

Rickett's  Circus,  256,  260,  320,  341,  345 

Riddle, ,  363 

Ridout, ,  386 

Rittenhouse,  David,  eulogy  on,  335 

Roberdeau,  Isaac,  259 

Robertson,  Archibald,  takes  portrait  of 
Washington,  232:  describes  a  dinner 
given  by  Washington,  232 

Rochambeau,  Count  de,  150,  348,  358; 
Washington  to,  10;  to,  on  death  of 
General  Greene,  61  ;  to,  on  adoption 
of  the  new  Constitution,  102 

Rodman,  Dr.  Thomas,  300 

Roe,  Capt. ,  180 

Rogers,  186 

Rogers, ,  92,  302,  309,  363 

Rogers,  Moses,  142 

Rogers,  Rev.  William,  83 

Roosevelt,  Mrs.  Isaac,  funeral  of,  161 

Root,  Col.  Jesse,  152 

Rosebery,  Lord,  in  possession  of  Stuart's 
portrait  of  Washington,  324 

Ross,  James,  Washington  to,  on  Jay 
Treaty,  309 

Ross,  John,  76,  80 

Roth,  Rev.  John,  extract  from  diary  of, 
226 

Rouirie,  Marquis  de  la,  150 

Rudibort, ,  16 

llumney,  William,  Washington  to,  9 ; 
mentioned,  96 

Rumsey,  James,  60,  63 ;  shows  his  model 
of  steamboat  to  Washington,  11;  en 


gaged  by  the  Potomac  Navigation  Com 

pany,  33,  34 
Rush,    Dr.    Benjamin,    85  ;    pronounces 

eulogium  on  David  Rittenhouse,  335 
Rush,  Richard,  quoted,  200 
Russ,  -  ,  215 
Russell,  -  ,  219 
Ruston,  Dr.  Thomas,  80,  95 
Rutledge,  Edward,  21  5  ;  welcomes  Wash 

ington  to  Charleston,  216 
Rutledge,  John,  75,  76.  85 
Rutledge,  Mrs.  John,  216 

Sage,  -  ,  215 

St.  Clair,  Arthur,  accompanies  Washing 

ton  through  Philadelphia  in  1789,  124; 

mentioned,  134,  145;  army  of,  reported 

defeated,  231  ;   attends   ball  given   by 

Dancing  Assembly,  233 
St.  John's  College,  Annapolis,  356 
St.  Mary's  Church  in  Philadelphia,  Wash 

ington  attends,  77 
St.  Paul's  Church  in  New  York,  133,  164, 

165;    attended    by   Washington,    148, 

161-177;  oration  delivered  in,  on  the 

anniversary   of   Declaration   of    Inde 

pendence,  185 
St.  Peter's  Church  in  Philadelphia,  Wash 

ington  attends  service  at,  297;  officials 

of,  wait  on  Washington,  342 
St.  Tammany  Society  receives  delegates 

from  Creek  and  Seminole  nations,  188 
Saint  Tries,  M.  -  ,  visits  Mount  Vernon, 

112 

Sarly,  Capt.  -  ,  189 
Savage,  Edward,  takes  portrait  of  Wash 

ington,  164,  165,  166,  178 
Schureman,  James,  170,  181,  186 
Schuyler,  Gen.  Philip,  162,  163,  170,  174, 

177,  184  ;    Washington   to,  on  Society 

of  the  Cincinnati,  8;  attends  theatre  at 

the  invitation  of  Washington,  162 
Scott,  Thomas,  167,  170,  178,  184 
Scott,  William,  52 
Scriba,  Capt.  -  ,  131 
Seabury,  Dr.  Samuel,  Bishop,  40 
Searson,  John,  author  of  poem  on  Mount 

Vernon,  381 

Season,  -  ,  see  Searson 
Seckel,  Lawrence,  228,  340 
Sedgwick,  Theodore,  170,  178,  269 
See,  Richard  II.,  176 
Seneca  chiefs  visit  Philadelphia,  239 
Seneca  Falls,  117 
Seney,    Joshua,    member   of    House    of 

Representatives,  1790,  166,  168,  176 
Serf,  Col.  -  ,  58 


Sergeant,  Col.  - 
Philadelphia,  265 
Sergent,  A.  F.,  198 
Sevier,  John,  186 
Shaw,  -  ,  38,  39,  47,  48 


on  yellow  fever  in 


INDEX. 


411 


Shaw,  Maj.  Samuel,  nominated  for  consul 
in  Canton,  171 ;  mentioned,  247 

Shaw,  William,  engaged  as  secretary  by 
Washington,  33 

Shays,  Daniel,  rebellion  led  by,  65 

Shelburne,  Lord,  324 

Shepherd,  Gen.  William,  152 

Shepherd's  Tavern,  11 

Sherman,  Roger,  131,  151,  169,  176 

Shippen,  Thomas  Lee,  extract  of  letter 
from,  to  Dr.  William  Shippen,  Jr., 
197 

Shippen,  Dr.  William,  80 ;  extract  of 
letter  to,  197 

Short,  William,  appointed  minister  at 
court  of  Versailles,  179  ;  letter  to,  from 
Thomas  Jefl'erson,  183 

Shovat,  Dr.  A.,  82 

Shreve,  Col.  Israel,  14 

Shrine, ,  214 

Shuter's  Tavern,  34,  94 

Silvester,  Peter,  172 

Simmonds, ,  180 

Sirnms,  Col.  Charles,  chosen  delegate  to 
the  Convention  of  Virginia,  100;  men 
tioned,  363,  383 

Simpson,  Gilbert,  owns  land  in  partner 
ship  with  Washington,  10-15 

Sinclair,  Sir  John,  Washington  to,  on 
agriculture,  280,  351 ;  to,  335,  353 

Singer,  Abraham,  293 

Sinuickson,  Thomas,  133,  172,  178,  184 

Sitgreave,  Judge  John,  meets  Washing 
ton  in  Newbern,  N.  C.,  214 

Skinner, ,  291 

Slaughter, ,  214 

Slavery,  petition  from  the  Quakers  for  the 
abolition  of,  176 

Smallwood,  Gov.  William,  65 

Smith, ,  36,  48,  161,  168,  171,  186, 

220,  371 

Smith,  Benjamin,  215 

Smith,  Mrs.  Kirby  Flower,  now  in  posses 
sion  of  Trumbull's  portrait  of  Washing 
ton,  186 

Smith,  Obrian,  217 

Smith,  Samuel,  128,  288 

Smith,  Thomas,  15 

Smith,  William,  142,  169,  170,  181,  186; 
notifies  Washington  of  his  re-election, 
250 

Smith,  Dr.  William  Moore,  delivers  ora 
tion  on  Dr.  Franklin,  207;  delivers 
address  from  Masons  to  Washington, 
337 

Smith,  William  S.,  of  South  Carolina, 
133,  134,  148,  161,  162,  165,  179;  pre 
sents  address  to  Washington,  176;  ac 
companies  Washington  on  visit  to 
Rhode  Island,  191;  to  Providence, 
192;  visits  Washington,  163;  dines 
with  Gov.  Clinton,  164 


Smith,  Mrs.  William  S.,  extract  of  letter 
to,  203,  206 

Snickers, ,  63 

Snodgrass, ,  11 

Snowden,  Maj. ,  73,  92 

Solms,  Count  de,  and  portrait  of  Wash 
ington,  by  Wright,  3 

Sotomayer,  Duke  of,  329 

Southwark  Theatre,  Washington  attends, 
in  Philadelphia,  204,  238 

Spaight,  Col.  Richard  D.,  32 

Spanish  minister,  1791,  Don  Joseph  De 
Viar,  the,  to  United  States,  227 

Spencer, ,  218 

Spieren,  George  H.,  142 

Spinner, ,  219 

Spotswood,  Gen.  Alexander,  29,  212,  351, 
356 

Spotswood,  Gen.  William,  55, 104 

Springetttbury  Manor,  Washington  at, 
78,  81,  83,  84,  85,  87,  88,  89 

Spurrier's  Tavern,  92,  122,  199,  305,  307, 
309,  311,  370,  371,  374 

Stabler,  H.  S.,  147 

Stagg,  Maj.  John,  escorts  Indians  to 
Philadelphia,  239  ;  mentioned,  284 

Stakes,  Capt.  ,  131 

Stanton,  Joseph,  184 

Staphorst,  Nicholas  Van,  249 

Stavely,  John,  361 

Steel  furnace  of  Nancarrow  &  Matlack, 
86 

Steer,  Mr.,  and  family  dine  with  Wash 
ington,  356 ;  mentioned,  382 

Sten/on,  residence  of  Dr.  Logan,  83 

Stephens,  Col.  William,  177 

Sterling,  Lady,  138 

Sterret,  Capt. ,  380 

Steuben,  Baron  de,  134,  138,  141, 145,  162, 
163,  164,  165,  178 

Stevens,  Senator  ,  opposes  the  Jay 

Treaty,  304 

Stevens,  Rev.  Charles  Ellis,  297 

Stewart,  David,  229 

Stewart,  John,  340 

Stoddart,  Maj. ,  223 

Stodder,  Capt. ,  196,  197 

Stone,  John  H.,  Washington  to,  313, 
336 

Stone,  Michael,  170,  178,  184 

Stone,  Thomas,  appointed  commissioner 
to  settle  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Chesa 
peake  Bay,  27 

Stover,  Ralph,  340 

Stroads,  Capt. ,  11 

Strong,  Caleb,  member  of  the  Senate  in 
1790,  166,  167,  174,  181,  186;  notifies 
Washington  of  his  re-election,  250 

Stryker,  William  S.,  quoted,  126 

Stuart,  282 

Stuart,  Mrs. ,  377,  378,  379,  390 

Stuart,  Miss ,  40 


412 


INDEX. 


Stuart,  Charles,  acts  as  escort  to  Washing 
ton  in  Annapolis,  210 

Stuart,  Dr.  David,  23,  28,  34,  39,  54,  56, 
71,  101,  106,  110,  210,  356;  Washing 
ton  to,  on  government  affairs,  82 ;  to, 
on  his  firm  belief  in  the  Constitution, 
96;  to,  requesting  his  annuity,  114; 
to,  254,  338 ;  chosen  delegate  to  the 
Convention  of  Virginia,  100;  and 
Presidential  Elector,  116:  and  Com 
missioner  for  the  Capitol  at  Washing 
ton,  264;  residence  of,  359 

Stuart,  Mrs.  David,  illness  of,  109 

Stuart,  Gilbert,  Washington  to,  324 

Stuart,  Richardson,  33,  34,  63 

Sturges,  Jonathan,  172, 181,  186 

Sullivan,  John,  President  of  State  of 
New  Hampshire,  receives  Washington, 
157 

Sullivan,  William,  extract  from  work  of, 
201 

Sumpter,  Thomas,  175,  181,  186 

Suter,  John ,  197 

Suter's  Tavern,  210,  307 

Sutton, ,  220 

Swan  Gen. ,  371 

Swanwick,  John,  87 

Swash,  215 

Swearingin,  Capt. ,  15 

Tammany  Society  of  Philadelphia  waits 
on  Washington,  8 ;  of  Richmond,  Va., 
entertains  Washington,  30 

Tannehill,  Adamson,  229 

Taneytown,  225 

Taylor, ,  36-38,  219 

Taylor's  Tavern,  30 

Telf'air,  Gov.  Edward,  receives  Washing 
ton  at  Augusta,  219 

Temple,  Sir  John,  173 

Temple,  Lady,  138 

Ternant,  Col.  Jean  Baptiste,  French 
minister,  227,  228,  258 

Tevot,  M. ,  358 

Thanksgiving  Day,  ordinance  for  observ 
ing,  162,  295 

Thatcher,  George,  167,  176 

Thatcher,  Peter,  minister  of  Congrega 
tional  Church,  Boston,  1789,  155 

Theatre,  Washington  attends,  292,  293 

Thompson, ,  104,  138,  180 

Thompson,  Rev. ,  preaches  in  Pohick 

Church,  39 

Thompson,  Israel,  11 

Thomson,  Charles,  Washington  to,  regard 
ing  his  commission,  5,  6;  secretary  to 
Congress,  bears  official  document  to 
Washington  of  his  election  as  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  121 ;  accom 
panies  Washington  on  his  journey  to 
New  York,  122-127 ;  resigns  his  office 
of  secretary  of  Congress,  141 


Thornton,  Edward,  describes  Washing 
ton,  235,  238;  on  ceremony  of  admin 
istering  oath  of  office  to  Washington, 
253 ;  appointed  secretary  of  British 
legation,  327 

Thornton,  Capt.  Presley,  369 

Thornton,  Dr.  William,  368,  374,  375, 
381 ;  designs  plans  for  first  capitol 
buildings  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  362 

Titcomb,  Gen.  Jonathan,  156,  157 

Todd, ,  212 

Tracy, ,  363 

Trammell,  Sampson,  11 

Trammels,  Capt. ,  36 

Traversy,  Marquis  de,  presented  to  Wash 
ington,  150 

Treadway, ,  222 

Treaty  of  Amity,  Commerce,  and  Naviga 
tion,  gee  Jay  Treaty 

Tredwell,  Mrs. ,  extract  of  letter  to, 

262 

Trenton,  N.  J.,  reception  of  Washington 
at,  in  1789,  125,  126;  public  offices 
removed  to,  371 

Trickett, ,  11 

Trinity  Church,  New  York,  consecration 
of,  177;  attended  by  Washington,  179- 
181,  184 

Troup, ,  171 

Trumbull,  John,  168,  175;  Washington 
at  studio  of,  1 69 ;  Washington  sits  for 
picture  to,  171-174,  177,  185-188; 
paints  Washington's  portrait  for  the 
city  of  New  York,  188 ;  and  for  Charles 
ton,  S.  C.,  236 ;  secretary  to  John  Jay, 
277  ;  Washington  to,  382 

Trumbull,  Jonathan,  168,  175;  presents 
address  to  Washington,  230 ;  attends 
Dancing  Assembly  in  Philadelphia,233; 
presents  address  to  Washington,  247 

Truxton,  Capt.  Thomas,  385 

Tucker,  Thomas  Tudor,  128,  165,  176 

Tulcher, ,  219 

Tumbelson, ,  12 

Tunnerclitie, ,  375 

Turner,  Col.  ,  receives  Washington 

at  Harrisburg,  285 

Turner,  Alexander,  340 

Turner,  H.,  383,  384 

Twining,  Thomas,  extract  from  diary  of, 
326,  327 

Tyson,  Henry,  228 

Underdunck,  Henry,  see  Onderdonk 
Union  Tavern,  355,  384 
University,  National,  Washington's  desire 
to  see  established  a,  295,  296 

Van  Berckel,  Peter  John,  Dutch  ambas 
sador,  holds  an  audience  with  Washing 
ton,  136;  dines  with  Gov.  Clinton,  164; 
mentioned,  137,  161,  302 


INDEX. 


413 


Van  Cortlandt,  Pierre,  178 

Vander  Kemp,  Francis  Adrian,  visits 
Mount  Vernon,  107 

Vanhaven,  Mrs. ,  356 

Van  Havre, ,  382 

Van  Horn, ,  309 

Van  Horn,  Isaac,  340 

Van  Home, ,  131,  305,  307,  309 

Van  Polanen,  R.  G.,  appointed  Minister 
Resident  of  the  Batavian  republic,  382 

Van  Ranselaer,  Mrs.  Stephen,  163 

Van  Rensalaer,  Jeremiah,  178 

Van  Zandt,  Miss ,  dances  the  minuet 

with  Washington,  134 

Vans  Murray,  William,  Washington  to, 
376;  appointed  Envoy  Extraordinary 
to  France,  385 

Vareen, ,  215 

Varick,  Col.  Richard,  129,  165,  187; 
arranges  Washington's  papers,  3 ;  dines 
with  Gov.  Clinton,  164 

Varlo,  Charles,  describes  life  at  Mount 
Vernon,  17 

Varnum,  Gen.  James  M.,  74 

Vaughan,  Benjamin,  Washington  to,  re 
garding  chimney-piece,  25 ;  mentioned, 
161 

Vaughan,  John,  77 

Verplanck,  Gulian,  178 

Viar,  Don  Joseph  de,  appointed  ambas 
sador  from  Spain,  148,  227 

Vining,  John,  175,  181,  186 

Volney,  C.,  visits  Mount  Vernon,  351 

Waddell,  Henry,  142 

Wade,  Capt. ,  escorts  Washington  at 

Elizabeth-Town,  1789,  128 

Wadsworth,  Col.  Jeremiah,  69,  152,  168, 
175 

Walker,  John,  Senator,  presents  address 
from  Virginia  to  Washington,  181 

"Wallace  Box"  presented  to  Washing 
ton,  232 

Wain,  Robert,  340 

Walter, ,  384 

Walton,  Judge  George,  welcomes  Wash- 
inston  to  Augusta,  219 

Wansey,  Henry,  his  opinion  of  Washing 
ton,  277 

Warne, ,  179 

Warner,  Capt. ,  153 

Warren, ,  360 

Warville,  Count  J.  P.  Brissot  de,  visits 
Mount  Vernon,  112;  his  opinion  of 
Washington  and  his  home,  112,  113 

Warwir.k,  209 

Washington  County,  Pa.,  denounces  tho 
excise  laws,  243 

Washington,  D.  C.,  act  for  the  establish 
ment  of,  issued,  187  ;  Washington  par 
ticipates  in  laying  corner-stone  of  Cap 
itol  at,  264 


Washington,  289,  357 

Washington,  Augustine,  11,  68 

Washington,  Betty,  356 

Washington,  Bushrod,  3,  12,  16,  69,  349, 
367,  368,  379,  383,  384;  Washington 
to,  142 

Washington,  Charles,  11,  23,  103,  254; 
illness  of,  117  ;  death  of,  385 

Washington,  Corbin,  69,  382,  386 

Washington,  Fanny,  92 ;  marries  Tobias 
Lear,  309 

Washington,  Ferdinando,  48 

Washington,  George  Augustine,  23,  24, 
33,  39,  44,  45,  46,  47,  55,  63,  73,  95, 
96,  105,  117,  309;  marriage  of,  40; 
visits  Alexandria,  53 ;  indisposition 
of,  241,  242 ;  death  of,  254 

Washington,  Mrs.  George  Augustine,  Mrs. 
Washington  to,  283 

Washington,  George  Corbin,  3 

Washington,  George  Steptoe,  marriage  of, 
321 

Washington,  Harriott,  visits  Abingdon 
and  Alexandria,  101 ;  mentioned,  243 

Washington,  John,  11,  357 

Washington,  John  Augustine,  41,  63,  69; 
death  of,  68 ;  last  private  owner  of 
Mount  Vernon,  198;  daughter  of,  men 
tioned,  212 

Washington,  Lawrence,  34,  43,  384;  sells 
the  bust  of  M.  Neeker,  198;  of  Cho- 
tanck,  357  ;  of  Belmont,  357 

Washington,  Lund,  28,  33,  34,  40,  43,  47, 
55,  60,  95,  96,  111,  353;  manages 
Mount  Vernon  estate,  24 

Washington,  Martha,  32,  38,  44,  52,  66, 
69,  92,  93,  100-109,  113,  144,  145,  147- 
150,  160,  161,  163,  164,  165-186,  194, 
196,  197,  202,  203,  232,  240,  243,  244, 
263,  277,  278,  279,  299,  300,  302,  303, 
305,  312,  316,  329,  333,  349,  351,  353, 
357,  359,  365,  389 ;  holds  her  first  levee 
May  29,  1789,  133;  arrives  in  New 
York,  137 ;  receives  Friday  evenings, 
142 ;  attends  Dancing  Assembly  in 
New  York,  162;  holds  New  Year's  re 
ception,  166;  attends  Assembly,  176; 
visits  Fort  Washington,  187;  is  re 
luctant  to  leave  New  York,  194;  enter 
tained  in  Philadelphia,  195;  suffers 
from  indisposition,  196;  journeys  to 
Baltimore,  196;  arrives  at  Mount  Ver 
non,  197 ;  at  Philadelphia,  199 ;  at 
tends  Wilson's  lectures,  202 ;  holds 
levee,  203 ;  attends  Dancing  Assembly 
of  Philadelphia,  233,  272;  attends  the 
funeral  of  Mrs.  Tobias  Lear,  261  ;  ex 
tract  of  letter  from,  to  Mrs.  G.  A. 
Washington,  283;  attends  church  regu 
larly,  297 ;  leaves  Philadelphia  for 
Mount  Vernon,  305  ;  attends  Miss  Will- 
ing's  marriage,  312;  described,  326; 


414 


INDEX. 


holds  reception  on  her  husband's  birth 
day,  320  ;  attends  theatre,  321 ;  attends 
reception,  341 ;  holds  her  last  drawing- 
room,  343  ;  proceeds  to  Mount  Vernon, 
346 ;  visits  Alexandria,  355 ;    presents 
colors  to  the  town  of  Alexandria,  366  ; 
dines  at  Mount  Eagle,  377 ;  illness  of, 
384,   385;    receives   invitation   to  join 
the  Alexandria  Assemblies,  387 
Washington,    Mary,    Washington    visits, 
29,  55,   104;  illness  of,  72;   death   of, 
118;  notice  of  death  of,  145 
Washington,  Robert,  34,  43 
Washington,  Samuel,  48,  52,  289,  321 
Washington,  Thomas,  34 
Washington,  Thornton,  52 
Washington,  Col.  Warner,  11,  16,  103 
AVashington,  Mrs.  Warner,  sons  of,   386 ; 

mentioned,  392 
Washington,  Whiting,  392 
AVashington,  Col.  AVilliarn,  215,  217  ;  at 
tends  races  at  Alexandria,  41 ;  sketch 
of  life  of,  384,  385 
AVashington,  Gen.  George, 

at  Abingdon,  Va.,  28,  34,  52,  55,  56, 

63,  92,  94,  101,  109 
at   Alexandria,   Va.,   9,   25,   27,   28, 
30-33,  38,  39,  41,  43,  45,  47,  54, 
59,  61,  62,  63,  66,  68,  69,  71,  92, 
94.  95,  100,   101,  105,  107,  108, 
109,  111,  113,  116, 117,  122,  199, 
211,  259,  309,  331,  347,  355,  356, 
358,  360,  361,  365,  366,  368,  370, 
378,  380,  381,  383,  388 
at  Annapolis,  Md.,  9,  20,  21,  22,  209 
at  Ashford,  Conn.,  1 59 
at  Augusta,  Ga.,  219 
at  Baltimore,  73,  92,  122,   123,  196, 
278,  302,  305,  306,  307,  309,  311, 
346,  370,  371,  374 
at  Bath,  Va.,  11,  288 
at  Bedford,  Pa.,  289,  290 
at  Beverly,  Mass.,  156 
at  Billerica,  Mass.,  159 
at  Bladensburg,  92, 197, 210,  302,  305, 

307,  309,  370 
at  Boston,  153,  154,  155 
at  Brandywine,  307 
at  Bristol,  Pa.,  194 
at  Brookfield,  Mass.,  152 
at  Brookhaven  Township,  180 
at  Brooklyn,  180 
at  Brunswick,  194 
at  Brushy  Plains,  180 
at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  153,  155 
at  Camden,  S.  C.,  220 
at  Carlisle,  Pa.,  285,  286 
at  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  287 
at  Charles  Co.,  Md.,  64 
at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  216 
at  Charlestown,  Mass.,  155 
at  Charlestown,  Va.,  307,  309 


AVashington,  Gen.  George, 
at  Charlotte,  N.  C.,  220 
at  Cheater,    Pa.,   74,   209,  305,  307, 

309,  372,  374 
at  Chester  (East),  150 
at  Christiana,  305,  307,  30&,  374 
at  Christiana  Bridge,  372 
at  Columbia,  Pa.,  291 
at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  219 
at  Coventry,  Conn.,  160 
at  Cumberland,  Md.,  288 
at  Difficult  Run,  Va.,  386,  387 
at  Durham,  151 

at  Elizabeth  Town,  N.  J.,  128,  194 
at  Elizabeth  Town  Point,  137 
at  Elkton,  Md.,  305,   307,  309,  311, 

371,  372,  374 
at  Exeter,  159 
at  Fairiield,  Conn.,  151,  160 
at  Fayette  County,  Pa.,  13,  14,  16 
at  Flushing,  180 
at  Fort  Pleasant,  Va.,  16 
at  Four  Mile  Run,  Va.,  56,  380 
at  Frankfort,  Va.,  289 
at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  6,  29,  30,  55, 

72,  104,  105,  118,  212,  223 
at  Fredericktown  Md.,  34,  224 
at  Georgetown,  Md.,  34,  92,  94,  122, 

197,  210,  223,  230,  302,  305,  306, 

307,  309,  310,311,  328,355,  370, 

384 

at  Georgetown,  S.  C.,  215 
at  Germantown,  Pa.,  266,  267,  280, 

281,  282 

at  Glen  Cove,  180 
at  Gravesend,  180 
at  Gray's  Ferry,  Pa.,  74 
at  Gray's  Ferry  Bridge,  Pa.,  124 
at  Great  Falls,  51,  52,  63 
at  Greencastle,  Pa.,  287 
at  Guilford,  N.  C.,  221 
at  Gunston  Hall,  46 
at  Halifax,  N.  C.,  214 
at  Harper's  Ferry,  35 
at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  284,  285 
at  Hartford,  Conn..  152,  160 
at  Hartford,  Md.,  305,  307,  309,  311, 

370,  374 

at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  159 
at  Holliston,  Mass.,  159 
at  Hope  Park,  359 
at  Humelstown,  Pa.,  284 
at  Huntington,  180 
at  Ipswich,  Mass.,  156 
at  Jamaica,  179,  180 
at  Kingsbridge,  150,  160 
at  Kingstown,  159 
at  Kittery,  Me.,  158 
at  Koram,  180 

at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  226,  291,  333 
at  Lebanon,  Pa.,  284 
at  Leesburg,  Va.,  11,  103 


INDEX. 


415 


Washington,  Gen.  George, 

at  Leicester,  Mass.,  153 

at  Long  Island,  179 

at  Manchester,  Va.,  213 

at  Mansfield,  Conn.,  160 

at  Marblehead,  Mass.,  156 

at  Marlborough,  Mass.,  153 

at  Mamaroneck,  150 

at  Menden,  159 

at  Middlesex,  Mass.,  153 

at  Middletown,  Conn.,  151 

at  Milford,  Conn.,  151 

at  Mount  Eagle, Va.,  359,  377,387,390 

at  Mount  Vernon,  Va.,  3-10,  17, 
19-21,  23-49,  50-67,  68-97, 
98-115,116-121,  197,  198,  199, 
211,  223,  230,  237,  241-243,  253, 
254,  259,  263,  265,  266,  273,  279, 
302,  306,  309,  310,329,  330,  333, 
347-354,  355-369,  375-393 

at  Myerstown,  Pa,  284 

at  Needham,  Mass.,  159 

at  Newark,  N.  J.,  128 

at  Newbern,  N.  C.,  214 

at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  127,  128 

at  Newburyport,  Mass.,  156 

at  Newcastle,  Del.,  209,  307 

at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  151,  160 

at  Newport,  R.  I.,  191 

at  New  Roehelle,  150 

at  Newton,  180 

at  New  Utrecht,  180 

at  New  York,  128-149,  160-190,  193 

at  Norristown,  Pa.,  284 

at  Norwalk,  150 

at  Oyster  Bay,  180 

at  Palmer,  Mass.,  152 

at  Petersburg,  Va.,  213 

at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  7,  8,  74-91, 123, 
194-196,  199-208,  227,  228,  230, 
231,  233-240,  243-259,  260-263, 
268-280,  283,  291-305,  307.  308, 
311-315,  317-328,  331,  332, 
334-344,  372,  373 

at  Pohick  Church,  39,  63,  94,  110 

at  Pomfret,  Conn.,  159 

at  Portsmouth,  N.  II.,  157,  158 

at  Potomac  Falls,  Va.,  51,  58 

at  Pottsgrove,  Pa.,  284 

at  Providence,  R.  I.,  191,  192 

at  Purisburgh,  Ga.,  217,  218 

at  Rahway,  N.  J.,  128 

at  Reading,  Pa.,  284 

at  Rhode  Island,  192 

at  Richmond,  Va.,  18,  19,  30,  55,  213 

at  Rye,  150 

at  Salem,  Mass.,  155,  156 

at  Salem,  N.  C.,  221 

at  Savannah,  Ga.,  217 

at  Seneca  Falls,  60,  103 

at  Setalkat,  180 

at  Sherburn,  Mass,  159 


Washington,  Gen.  George, 

at  Shippensburgh,  Pa.,  287 

at  Smith's  Town,  180 

at  South  Hempstead,  180 

at  Spencer,  153 

at  Spring  Mills,  Pa.,  84 

at  Springfield,  Mass.,  152 

at  Stamford,  Conn.,  150,  160 

at  Stratford,  151 

at  Susquehanna,  302,  305,  307,  309, 
371,  374 

at  Taneytown,  Md.,  225 

at  Tarborough,  N.  C.,  214 

at  Thompson,  Conn.,  159 

at  Trap,  Pa.,  284 

at  Trenton,  N.  J.,  86,  125,  126,  194 

at  Uxbridge,  159 

at  Valley  Forge,  Pa.,  86 

at  Wallingford,  Conn.,  151,  160 

at  Warburton,  Md.,  108 

at  Washington  County,  Pa.,  14,  15 

at  Washington,  D.  C.,  264,  328,  331, 
333,  359,  368,  369,  370,  374,  381, 
387 

at  Watertown,  Mass.,  159 

at  Waynesborough,  Ga.,  219 

at  Wethersfield,  Conn.,  151 

at  Weston,  Mass.,  153 

at  Whitemarsh,  Pa.,  88 

at  AVilliamsburgh,  224 

at  Williamsport,  Md.,  287,  288 

at  Wilmington,  Del.,  73,  91, 123,  209, 
302,  305,  307,  309,  311,  372, 
374 

at  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  215 

at  Womelsdorf,  Pa.,  284 

at  Woodbi-idge,  N.  J.,  128 

at  Worcester,  Mass.,  153 

at  Worthington,  Conn.,  160 

at  Wright's  Ferry,  Pa.,  291 

at  Yorktown,  Pa.,  225,  291 

Watson, ,  55 

Watson,    Elkanah,    his   visit    to   Mount 

Vernon,  24 
Watts,  John  (king  of  Cherokees),  dined 

by  Washington,  334 
Watts,  Lady  Mary,  138 
Wayne,  Gen.  Anthony,  218,  284;  recep 
tion  of,  in  Philadelphia,  319 
Webb,  George,  65 

Webster,  ,  305,  307,   309,  311,  370, 

374 

Webster,  Noah,  visits  Mount  Vernon,  43 
Weedon,  Gen.  George,  72,  104 
Weems,  Rev.  Mason  Locke,  visits  Mount 

Vernon,  70 

Weld,  Jr.,  Isaac,  quoted,  320 
Wellford,  Robert,  extract  from  journal  of, 

290 
Wells,  Richard,  228 

West, ,  358 

West  Point,  purchase  of,  185 


416 


INDEX. 


West,  Roger,  chosen  delegate  to  General 
Assembly,  101 

West,  Thomas,  candidate  for  Senate  in 
district  of  Fairfax,  1787,  95 

Westmoreland  County,  Pa.,  denounces 
excise  laws,  243 

Wheeler, ,  51 

Wheelock,  John,  of  Dartmouth  College, 
addresses  Washington,  161 

Whiskey  insurrection,  282-291,  297  ;  par 
don  granted  to  all  concerned  in,  305 

White, ,  384 

White,  Alexander,  165,  170,  173,  181 

White,  Col.  Anthony  Walton,  177,  287 

White,  John,  229 

White,  Rosannah,  372 

White,  William,  Bishop  of  Pennsylvania, 
80,  312,  343,  373;  Washington  to,  with 
contribution  for  charity,  270 ;  extract 
of  letter  from,  to  Rev.  B.  B.  C.  Parker, 
297 

Whiting,  Anthony,  Washington  to,  on 
home  affairs  at  Mount  Vernon,  246 ;  to, 
253  ;  death  of,  260 

Wickerham's  Mill,  15 

Wiley's  Tavern,  386,  387 

Wilkinson,  Gen.  James,  344 

Willarcl,  Joseph,  president  of  Harvard 
College,  welcomes  Washington,  155 

Willet,  Col.  Marinus,  agent  to  Creek 
Indians,  175  ;  arrives  in  New  York,  188 

Williams,  ,  takes  portrait  of  Wash 
ington,  239 

Williams,  Col. ,  152 

Williams,  Gen.  Otho  H.,  25 

Williamson,  Dr.  Hugh,  suggests  appoint 
ments  in  revenue  office,  171 ;  men 
tioned,  178 

Williamson's  garden,  mention  of,  149 

Willing,  75 

Willing, ,  346 

Willing,  the  Misses,  present  at  presi 
dential  levee,  203 

Willing,  Miss  Eliza,  notice  of  marriage 
of,  311 

Willing,  Thomas,  77,  311,  373 

Willis,  Col. ,  104,  105 

Wilmington,  N.  C.,  AVashington  enter 
tained  by  citizens  of,  215 

Wilson, ,  95,  376 

Wilson,  Judge  James,  85,  170,  171,  177, 
262,  344 ;  delivers  law  lecture,  202 


Wilson,  William,  363 

Wingate,  Paine,  Senator  from  New 
Hampshire,  135,  138,  157,  167,  174, 
181,  186 

Winlaw's  threshing  machine,  169 

Winslow, ,  30 

Wise, ,  259,  307 

Wise's  Tavern,  122 

Wisom, ,  222 

Witherspoon,  Dr.  John,  AVashington 
visits,  at  Princeton,  126;  mentioned 
246 

Withys,  Mrs. ,  74 

AVolcott,  Oliver,  151,  178,  308;  AVashing 
ton  to,  318,  348 

Wolcott,  Jr.,  Oliver,  to  his  father  on  ill 
ness  of  AVashington,  182;  appointed 
Secretary  of  Treasury,  296;  mentioned, 
302,  308,  373 

AVolcott,  Mrs.  Oliver,  visits  AVashington, 
163;  Nelly  Custis  to,  347 

AVoodorf, ,  67 

Woollen  manufactory,  Hartford,  Conn., 
Washington  visits,  152;  Washington 
attired  in  suit  made  in,  167 

Wormeley, ,  11 

Worrell, ,  209 

Worthington,  Col. ,  152 

AV right,  Joseph,  paints  portrait  of  AVash 
ington  for  Count  de  Solms,  3,  4 

AVright's  Ferry  (Columbia),  226 

Wycombe,  Lord,  325 

AVynkoop,  Gerardus,  249 

AVynkoop,  Henry,  130,  168,  175,  181, 
186 

AVythe,  George,  77 

Wythes, ,  209 


Yearly,  Widow ,  17 

Yellow  fever  in  Philadelphia,  1793,  263, 
265 

Yorktown,  388 

Young, ,  180,  221 

Young,  Capt. ,  363,  370 

Young,  Arthur,  54;  Washington  to,  on 
plan  of  barn,  112,  113;  to,  on  pleasure 
of  agricultural  pursuits,  114 

Yrujo  M.  de,  Spanish  minister,  visits 
Washington  at  Mount  Vernon,  329 ; 
AVashington  receives,  as  Envoy  Extra 
ordinary,  331 


THE   END. 


14  DAY  USE 

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